Spanish Football Chief Faces Resignation After Forcibly Kissing Player
Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales is set to resign from his position as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) following backlash from the football community and beyond. Rubiales faced intense criticism after forcibly kissing a Spain player on the mouth following the Women’s World Cup finals. The incident occurred after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the finals in Sydney. Rubiales also celebrated the win by grabbing his genitals.
The 46-year-old football chief will submit his resignation at an extraordinary general assembly on Friday, according to reports. The pressure on Rubiales to step down has been unprecedented, with figures such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s women’s league, several men’s La Liga clubs, and international voices joining in the calls for his resignation.
FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales, stating that the incident may be in violation of the FIFA disciplinary code. Spain’s star midfielder Jennifer Hermoso, who was forcibly kissed by Rubiales, released a joint statement with union Futpro demanding action against the RFEF president. The statement called for exemplary measures to protect women footballers from such unacceptable actions.
Support for Hermoso and condemnation of Rubiales’ behavior has poured in. Spain’s Minister for Equality Irene Montero noted on social media that feminism is driving the change. Human rights organization Amnesty International has also backed Hermoso, stating that Rubiales’ non-consensual kiss constitutes a form of sexual violence.
Initially, Rubiales laughed off the incident, calling his critics idiots and describing the act as a spontaneous celebration. However, he later issued an apology that was deemed insufficient. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti criticized Rubiales’ conduct, stating that it was not befitting of a federation president.
As the criticism continued to mount, other Spanish clubs, including Getafe and Atletico Madrid, added their voices to the demand for Rubiales’ resignation. Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay expressed disappointment that the issue had not been resolved sooner.
Rubiales has been embroiled in multiple controversies since becoming the president of the RFEF in 2018. These include firing Spain coach Julen Lopetegui just days before the 2018 World Cup and relocating the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The incident involving Rubiales and the subsequent backlash highlight the urgent need for greater respect and protection for women in football. It further emphasizes the growing influence of feminism in reshaping the sporting world. The outcome of Rubiales’ resignation will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for dealing with similar instances of misconduct in the future.
Spanish football fans, including those of Barcelona, have also voiced their demand for Rubiales to step down, demonstrating widespread support for the player and a desire for stronger measures against such behavior. The incident has drawn attention to the need for stricter regulations and accountability within football organizations to ensure the safety and dignity of players, regardless of their gender.
As the fallout from this incident unfolds, the football world will be watching to see how the RFEF and other governing bodies address the issue of sexual harassment in sports. The outcome will have important ramifications for the future of women’s football and the broader movement towards gender equality in the sport.
