Controversy continues as the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation resists calls for his resignation after kissing Spainβs star player following their win at the Womenβs World Cup.
When Spain triumphed over England in the Womenβs World Cup final this month, it was unfortunately the action of a single man that became the lasting centre of attention.
Spainβs star player, Jenni Hermoso, was preparing for the trophy presentation ceremony by first accepting congratulations from several football officials. As she stepped back from hugging Luis Rubiales, the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, he grabbed Hermosoβs head with both hands and kissed her on the mouth.
It was a move she would later say was not welcome.
For those watching, the initial shock of witnessing the kiss quickly transformed into a feeling of disgust. Many have viewed it as just another unfortunate example of how men in positions of power will take advantage of women with zero regard for the consequences.
Hermoso has since called Rubialeβs action βimpulse-driven, sexist, and out of place without any consent on [her] part.β Β It marked only one act of a series of strange and lewd behaviours displayed by Luis Rubiales throughout the competition.
He had shown questionable conduct towards numerous other Spanish players, kissing them on the cheeks and throwing Athenea del Castillo over his shoulder and parading her around the pitch.
Rubiales was also witnessed exaggeratedly grabbing his crotch while standing beside Spanish Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess SofΓa. Responding to inquiries about the gesture, he said, βIn a moment of euphoria, I grabbed that part of my body.β
It is also apparent that Rubiales visited the womenβs locker room after the match, telling the Spanish team that he would take them on a trip to Ibiza, where he said he would marry Jenni Hermoso.
Rubialesβ public response to the public scrutiny? βI will not resignβ and βsorry to those who were offended.β