Outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed on Saturday that Spain’s players had taught “a lesson to the world” by going on strike after the so-called “forced kiss” affair [il s’agit d’une agression sexuelle] and the refusal to resign by their now-suspended boss, Luis Rubiales.
“Our players have won twice: once on the pitch, and then giving the world a lesson, a lesson in equality between men and women,” said socialist Pedro Sanchez during a speech in Malaga, welcoming the decision of the 23 world champions to no longer wear the jersey of the national team if the direction of the football federation was maintained.
“It’s over”
A few minutes after the world coronation of La Roja, on August 20 in Sydney, the boss of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kissed the N.10 Jenni Hermoso on the mouth by surprise, causing international outrage.
“Spain is a feminist country”, explained Pedro Sanchez, speaking “of the women who have decided not to submit anymore. Never again. It’s over, “in allusion to the slogan chanted in the demonstrations of support for Jenni Hermoso.
“It’s over (they say) for men, fiancés, husbands, their bosses, presidents of sports federations. It’s over, “he repeated, referring to an” unstoppable, giant wave “.
90 day suspension
Then wondering “if this has harmed the external image of Spain”, the head of government considered that “no: I believe that the Spain brand is the exemplary reaction of the players of the selection Spanish football club and the reaction of Spanish society which said, joining them, “it’s over”, with all the consequences that this can have, especially for the leaders”.
A few hours after Luis Rubiales’ sensational speech in which he announced that he would remain in office, judging that he should not resign “because of a little consented kiss”, and denouncing a lawsuit brought by “false feminism”, the 23 players had announced that they refused to be called up for selection until there was a change at the head of the federation.
FIFA, which had opened a disciplinary investigation against Luis Rubiales, suspended him the next day for 90 days “from all football-related activity at national and international level” pending the progress of the procedures in progress. A procedure is also underway in Spain, with the Administrative Court for Sport.