“I was wrong, I have to admit. » In a video posted Monday, August 21 on X (formerly Twitter), Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has apologized after he forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso. The scene, broadcast in mondovision, took place before the presentation of the trophy after winning the World Cup final against England (1-0).
Mr. Rubiales explains that he was “ in a historic moment, one of the most beautiful days in the history of Spanish football. (…) I want to apologize for everything this has caused. We both have a wonderful relationship, as with the other players. (…) It was without bad intention in a moment of euphoria. Here, we experienced it as something natural, but outside, an agitation has formed”.
The player, she said she ” not’[avait] not liked “but it was“a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that comes from winning a World Cup”. “The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us was perfect and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. »
“It is a form of sexual violence that we cannot normalize”
The gesture was described as“unacceptable” by the Spanish sports minister, Miquel Iceta. “ We shouldn’t consider giving a kiss without consent to be a “thing that happens.” It is a form of sexual violence that we women experience on a daily basis and so far invisible, and that we cannot normalize”pointed out Irene Montero on X, Spanish Minister for Equality. Anna Caula, secretary general for sports of the autonomous government of Catalonia, has called for the resignation of Luis Rubiales. She evokes “ a harsh gesture normalizing unacceptable attitudes”.
“It is deeply regrettable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team (…) be tainted by the inappropriate behavior of a person occupying a function carrying so many responsibilities”said the International Federation of Professional Football Associations, which denounces a “a position of vulnerability because the physical approach or gesture is initiated by a person who has power over [les joueuses] “.
The forced kiss of the president of the Federation is part of a heavy context within the Spanish selection. Players have been denouncing the methods judged for months “dictatorial” of the coach, Jorge Vilda, who enjoys the unwavering support of his president. Luis Rubiales, in office since 2018, was also accused of having organized orgies with Federation money last September.