Luis Rubiales did not play the World Cup, and yet in Spain, his name came out widely after the victory of La Roja at the Women’s World Cup. In question, a forced kiss to Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony, a gesture for which he apologized on Monday August 21, while minimizing its seriousness.
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Luis Rubiales ended up apologizing, more than 24 hours after the fact. Since Sunday and Spain’s victory in the final of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, the controversy has swelled, to the point of eclipsing somewhat the historic victory of La Roja.
During the medal ceremony, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) allowed himself to kiss on the mouth Jenni Hermoso, one of the players recently world champions. To everyone’s surprise, including that of the player herself.
“ Even I didn’t expect it »
In a video posted on Monday, Rubiales spoke up: “ We were in a historic moment, one of the most beautiful days in the history of Spanish football. We have worked a lot within the Federation, we are very proud. There is a fact that I regret between the player and me. I want to apologize for everything this has caused. »
“ Even I didn’t expect it “Reacted Jenni Hermoso to Spanish radio Cope after the match, before minimizing what had happened. On a live Instagram in the locker room, broadcast immediately after the match, we heard her laughing at the event with her teammates, bottle of champagne in hand, recalling that she had ” not liked ” the kiss.
“ It was a mutual gesture, totally spontaneous, due to the immense joy of winning a World Cup. The President and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude “, ended up reacting the player in a press release relayed by the federation.
Contradictory statements
“ We both have a wonderful relationship, as with the other players. I was wrong, I have to admitcontinued the president of the federation. It was without bad intention in a moment of euphoria. Here, we experienced it as something natural, but outside, an agitation has formed. That outweighed the celebration and the credit to the team. »
A statement quite contradictory with his first media release in the face of the outcry caused by his gesture. Rubiales got carried away: Let’s not listen to idiots and stupid people, really. It’s just two friends celebrating. We’re not here for nonsense. Me, with all that I’ve been through, no more nonsense and no more assholes**. Let’s ignore them and enjoy the good stuff. Don’t even talk to me about fools who can’t see the positive. »
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A reversal probably due to media pressure and the exit of the Minister of Sports, Miquel Iceta, who had demanded a public apology after the kiss which he described as ” unacceptable “. Iceta also explained that Sunday’s victory over England in the final was indeed ” a moment of great emotion “, but that the civil servants” have to be extremely careful because we are giving a message to society and that message is equal rights, it is respect “.