The behavior of the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, at the World Cup award ceremony has attracted criticism. Rubiales apologized for his actions on Monday.
President of the Spanish Football Association Luis Rubiales raised eyebrows at the medal ceremony of the World Cup gold party when he took the star player Jennifer Hermosoa face and kissed her on the mouth.
Hermoso, 33, said in an Instagram live filmed in the team’s locker room that he didn’t really like the situation. Later, Hermoso defended Rubiales and told the news agency AFP that what happened was “a natural and spontaneous mutual gesture”.
You can see the situation below.
Spanish Minister for Equality Irene Monteron was on different lines with Hermoso. According to Montero, it was a form of sexual violence that women suffer from on a daily basis.
– We shouldn’t assume that kissing without consent is something that just happens, Montero said.
Sports Minister Miquel Iceta found Rubiales’ actions unacceptable and demanded that Rubiales apologize.
Supplier Jose Luis Sastre with Rubiales wouldn’t do the same with a male player.
– We have seen hundreds of times when Rubiales celebrates with male players. He grabbed none of them to give without warning a kiss.
The Spanish goalkeeper greatness also took a stand Iker Casillaswho in 2020 was Rubiales’ counter-candidate for president of the union, but later withdrew from the race.
– Let’s see if anyone got divorced or not? What I don’t understand now, Casillas wrote on the messaging service X.
That’s how Rubiales answered
Rubiales initially defended his actions and said that it was a party between two friends. According to him, those who interpreted the situation differently are “idiots and stupid people”.
– Let’s leave them to their own devices and enjoy the good things, Rubiales said.
On Monday, Rubiales appeared in a video published by the Spanish Football Federation.
– I acted wrongly, I have to admit that. It happened in extreme intoxication, without any bad intentions. We saw it as natural, but the commotion seems to have been created. If this offended some people, I must apologize, Rubiales said.
– I have to learn from this and understand that as the leader of a big sports association, you have to be more careful, especially on occasions like this.
After a year full of uproar, Spain won the World Cup gold on Sunday by defeating England 1–0 in the final match.