The president of Spanish football is criticized for kissing a player in the women’s team | Women’s World Cup news

Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of kissing Spanish midfielder Gini Hermoso at the World Cup winning celebrations.

Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has been criticized for kissing Spanish footballer Jenny Hermoso during the FIFA Women’s World Cup post-ceremonies.

Spain beat the United Kingdom on Sunday, winning the title in Sydney, and Rubiales, a FIFA official, was on stage, celebrating the team’s victory after collecting his medals.

While placing a kiss on the cheek of every other Spanish player after their gold medals, he kissed Spanish midfielder Hermoso on the lips.

The unexpected act sparked a massive backlash in Spain and around the world.

“Rubiales is a guy with power over Hermoso who unilaterally and halfway through a stage decides to plant a kiss on a player’s mouth. It’s part of that culture that we touch and are able to flatter,” said a post on the X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter.

Carbonero y Casillas erran pareja. Rubiales y Hermoso no. Rubiales es un señor con poder sobre Hermoso que ha Decidido unsidemente y en medio de un escenario plantarle un beso en la boca a una jugadora. Es parte de esa cultura en la que nosotras somos tocables y piropeables.

– Ana Recina Aguilar (@RicenaAguilar) August 20, 2023

Some described his behavior as “sexual assault” and called on FIFA to intervene and take action against Rubiales.

Every day, women in sports are subject to massive power differentials, harassment, sexual assault, and a lack of agency and power.

This is awful.

He must step down immediately@tweetand the Spanish Federation.#FIFAWWC https://t.co/pN5KYHXPAX

– Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) August 20, 2023

In a live broadcast on Instagram, Hermoso expressed her upset about the incident. According to a post by Spanish journalist Irate Vida on X, Hermoso said, “Hey, I didn’t like it, eh.”

Peru qué hago yo? No me ha gustado eh”

Jenni sobre el beso de rubiales. Poco no pasa pic.twitter.com/fsND7x14AO

– Irati Vidal (@iratividal) August 20, 2023

But according to local media reports, in a statement issued by the Spanish Football Federation after Spain’s victory, Hermoso was quoted as saying that the kiss was a “mutual spontaneous gesture”.

Videos and photos on social media showed Rubiales holding hands with other players and kissing Spanish soccer player Olga Carmona on the cheek while celebrating Spain’s victory over England.

Rubiales defended his actions with Hermoso and told Spanish radio station Marca that “two people have a small show of affection”.