Kiss scandal
Spain’s football boss resigns and continues to hand out
Luis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation. photo
© RFEF/Europa Press/AP/dpa
Finally, but too late. These are the reactions to the resignation of Spain’s football boss Rubiales. He shows no trace of remorse after the kissing scandal.
The association president even resigned in the kissing scandal Luis Rubiales screwed up, commented the Spanish newspaper “Sport”.
Late on Sunday evening, the 46-year-old announced his decision three weeks after the forced kiss on the mouth of world champion Jennifer Hermoso, but at the same time he handed it out again. Rubiales said on social media that he could not remain in office because certain “forces” wanted to prevent this. “I trust in the truth and will do everything to ensure that it prevails,” he said, again denouncing an “excessive campaign” that spreads “lies” about him.
The reactions came quickly. “Further proof that he lives in an unreal world. Unbelievable,” wrote “Sport”. Acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz spoke of a success for feminism. The feminist country is progressing faster and faster. “We are with you, Jenni, all women,” she wrote on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Catholic country’s “Metoo” moment
Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s head with both hands and kissed her on the mouth at the Spanish World Cup winners’ award ceremony in Sydney on August 20th. What has happened since is being described by Spanish media as the Catholic country’s “Metoo” moment.
The newspaper “El País” wrote that Rubiales was a “macho” like he was in the book, the typical representative of the still latent dominance of men in many areas. The Spanish footballers didn’t want to put up with this any longer. Like many others, they showed solidarity with Hermoso, went on strike and said: “It’s over.”
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez praised this “exemplary” fight by the women’s world champions as a role model for the whole world. “Our players won twice: on the field and by teaching the world a lesson about equality between men and women,” he said a week ago. The female footballers and all of Spain said: “It’s over” with the subjugation of women to men. “Spain is a feminist country,” said the socialist.
Memorable speech and hunger strike by his mother
Rubiales initially described critics as “idiots” after the forced kiss, then he is said to have unsuccessfully urged Hermoso to defuse the scandal in a joint video. He later had the RFEF distribute a statement that reportedly put words in Hermoso’s mouth that she had not said.
In a memorable speech on August 25th, in which he refused to resign as everyone expected, he finally came across as the victim of a “false feminism” that wanted to “publicly execute” him. The government and the media were behind it. “Should a mutual kiss get me out of here? I’ll fight to the end,” he said full of pathos.
His mother went on a hunger strike in a church against the “inhumane and bloody hunt” of her son. Former national goalkeeper Iker Casillas wrote that the behavior of the association boss was “shameful”. The world association FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales and initially suspended him for 90 days.
Initiation of an investigation approved
Hermoso responded to Rubiales’ initially denied resignation with a detailed statement that could hardly have been clearer: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an impulsive, sexist and inappropriate act to which I did not consent. Simply put, I was disrespected,” wrote the 33-year-old.
The State Criminal Court in Madrid approved an investigation against Rubiales. If there is a trial and conviction for sexual aggression and coercion against Hermoso, Rubiales would face a prison sentence of between one and four years.