Spain’s government has put all mechanisms in motion to remove Luis Rubiales, 45, as president of the Spanish football association RFEF because of the “kiss affair”. This was announced by the country’s top sports politician, Victor Francos, at a press conference in Madrid on Friday evening. The Moncloa Palace was responding to the gauntlet Rubiales had thrown down a few hours earlier.
“I will not resign,” Rubiales had said several times before the association’s Extraordinary General Assembly – to applause from a number of those present, including men’s national team coaches Luis de la Fuente and women’s national team coaches Jorge Vilda. Rubiales rewarded Vilda with a promise to extend his contract for four years – with significantly improved salaries. Instead of the previous 170,000 euros, Vilda is to receive 500,000 euros a year in the future. That would be a higher salary than De la Fuente receives from men.
Francos, who heads the Supreme Sports Council CSD, said Rubiales was not up to speed either in form or content. On the contrary: Rubiales have tightened it. “With all the institutional respect that a President of the RFEF deserves, the Government today took the steps to have Mr Rubiales explain himself before the Sport Administrative Court (TAD). If the TAD deems it necessary, we will impeach Mr Rubiales.” Rubiales had previously declared that he would use all legal means to defend himself against this.
Several world champions express their solidarity with Hermoso in messages
In a 30-minute speech, Rubiales explained, among other things, that the kiss he had pressed on the mouth of world champion Jenni Hermoso at the award ceremony had been agreed. A video recording suggests that, as claimed in his defense speech on Friday, Rubiales actually asked her: “A kiss?” An answer from Hermosos cannot be seen in the pictures. Later, however, she said in the dressing room: “I didn’t like that.”
Hermoso himself commented on Friday evening. “I want to make it clear that at no time did I consent to the kiss that the President gave me,” she said through her consulting agency: “I do not tolerate my words being doubted, much less words being made up become what I have not said.” Her consulting agency had previously sent a post on the social media platform “X” that read: “For Jenni Hermoso, our players and the rest of the athletes. The moment has come to stop the attacks.” Several world champions posted messages of solidarity with Hermoso on the same platform. Among them was Alexia Putella from FC Barcelona, who was world footballer several times: “This is unacceptable. It’s enough.” Another communiqué later became known, in which they “strongly condemned” “behaviour that constitutes an attack on the dignity of women”.
And her teammates reacted too. Around 80 Spanish women footballers declaredof no longer wanting to be available to the national team if Rubiales stays. World champions Spain are effectively without a national team.
Male professional footballers – who had been silent for a long time – also spoke up. On Friday evening, Real Madrid “emphatically” supported the Spanish government. The Spanish record champions fully support the impeachment process. Betis Sevilla striker Borja Iglesias has said he will no longer be available for the national team until such incidents “can no longer go unpunished”. Former world-class goalkeeper Iker Casillas, captain of the 2010 World Cup team, called Rubiale’s behavior and speech “shameful”. The federation’s main sponsors also condemned Rubiales. This includes the airline Iberia. When situations arise “that do not suit a developed, modern and egalitarian society like Spain’s, Iberia supports the appropriate and necessary measures to protect the rights and dignity of athletes.” Spain’s railway company Renfe made a similar statement.
Spanish politicians were particularly harsh on Rubiales. “Mr. Rubiales still doesn’t know where he is and what he’s done. It’s not up to date. He must resign immediately and spare us further embarrassment,” demanded Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz of the left-wing Sumar party. The players’ union Fifpro also called for “immediate disciplinary action” against Rubiales.
“I have the feeling that many people have not yet understood what the members of the football associations have experienced when dealing with him as president of the RFEF,” said league boss Javier Tebas, who accused Rubiales of misogynist gestures, insults and blackmail, among other things . “We suffer a lot and have denounced a lot. The list of women and men who have been harmed by Luis Rubiales in these years is too long and it has to stop,” Tebas said.