Spanish FA President Under Fire for Kissing Jenni Hermoso After World Cup Win
Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales is facing criticism for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup. The incident occurred during the post-match presentation after Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the final. Hermoso expressed her discomfort with the gesture on Instagram, although a subsequent statement on her behalf defended Rubiales.
Government minister Irene Montero labeled the kiss as a form of daily-endured sexual violence against women and stressed that such behavior should not be normalized. She urged against assuming that non-consensual kissing is commonplace.
Hermoso, Spain’s leading goal scorer, later stated that the kiss was a spontaneous gesture of affection due to the immense joy of winning a World Cup. Rubiales’ actions were widely criticized on social media, with the hashtag ‘dimision ya’ (resign now) trending in Spain.
Rubiales defended himself, characterizing the kiss as a celebration between friends. He dismissed critics as “idiots and stupid people,” suggesting people should focus on the positive aspects.
Spanish newspaper El Pais ran a headline criticizing the kiss, echoing Hermoso’s sentiment. Spain’s victory in the World Cup came amidst controversy over coach Jorge Vilda, who retained his position despite a player revolt.
In September 2022, 15 players expressed concerns over their emotional well-being and health under Vilda’s leadership. Nevertheless, the Spanish Football Federation continued to support Vilda and reaffirmed their backing after the World Cup triumph on their official social media accounts.
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