- Spanish football president Luis Rubiales has been suspended by Fifa after he kissed a player on the lips without her consent during the medal ceremony of the Women’s World Cup
- Rubiales has faced widespread criticism from the global sports world, the Spanish government, the media and more
- But he hasn’t gone quietly – it’s been a messy week of mudslinging and misogyny – including threats to sue the player, to withdraw Spain from UEFA and now even his mother is on a hunger strike.
- 81 footballers have said they will not play for the national team until there is change and almost all the staff have quit the women’s team.
- Despite the World Cup win being overshadowed, the Spanish women’s team may have won something a lot more important, not just for them, but for women in football everywhere.
Women’s World Cup: the scandal that overshadowed the victory
It’s been just over a week since Spain beat England 1-0 in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final – marking the first time Spain’s women’s team have won the World Cup.
But for all the history made, the actions of one man – the Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales have overshadowed the victory but ultimately, united a nation.
Luis Rubiales is currently suspended from his role as Spanish football federation (RFEF) president for 90 days.
His suspension comes after footage showing Rubiales kissing Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the handing out of medals. The player was later heard on Instagram saying she did not like it.
Rubiales went on record to defend himself, blaming “fake feminism” for the reaction and saying the kiss was consensual. He then bizarrely suggested the player had lifted him in the air – footage later revealed a different story.
In yet another twist, his mother has locked herself in a church and is currently on hunger strike due to what she feels is unjust treatment towards her son.
Although he has been suspended by Fifa for 90 days, it’s understood he won’t ever return.
The backlash to the kiss was swift and widespread. It only intensified when the Spanish FA attempted to fling mud at everyone who called the president’s behaviour out.
Whilst the Spanish football federation initially backed the president the public backlash has been so widespread, that no threats can silence the majority.
Beyond the kiss, the distributing behaviour from the president and the Spanish FA over the past week has only intensified the scrutiny.
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‘Every step this week has made it worse’
The first is the allegation that the original statement defending the president’s actions from Jenni Hermoso wasn’t actually from Jenni Hermoso.
Then there are the alleged attempts to pressure her and those close to her into defending him publicly.
Then followed a statement accusing her of lying about the kiss not being consensual. Then came threats of suing her. There was the ill-conceived press conference, in which Rubiales blamed feminism – (Spain’s men and women head coaches were seen applauding his speech, although later both backtracked) – for the backlash against his behaviour.
Then came threats to withdraw Spain from UEFA. Then they released photos in which the Spanish FA attempted to suggest Hermoso instigated a clinch with Rubiales by lifting the president off the ground. But new footage now looks to have rubbished those claims with it apparent that Rubiales jumped into the arms of Hermoso, rather than her lifting him from the ground.
With every step it was made worse, a crash course in how not to behave, how not to manage a crisis.
It’s been an astonishing week, but one that has strengthened the players, and strengthened Spain – men and women, athletes, media, politicians, and a global audience are calling for a change.
All 23 players who won the World Cup have said they will not play for Spain until there was change. The 12 players of The Fifteen who pulled out of the national team last year due to the behaviour of Spain’s women’s coach Jorge Vilda also joined the 23 refusing to play in the national squad.
In total 81 footballers have joined in. Eleven members of the coaching staff have resigned.
Controversial Women’s coach Jorge Vilda has to name a squad for the Nations League in 10 days and at present the World Champions have no players and little staff.
“We didn’t just win a World Cup, little one,” the lady replies. “We won much more.”
On Friday the goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez tweeted “It’s over”. Below the message was a cartoon, in which a small girl with a ball under her feet talks to her grandmother. “Granny, tell me how you won a World Cup,” she says. “We didn’t just win a World Cup, little one,” the lady replies. “We won much more.”
Is this Spain’s #MeToo moment? – Let’s hope it’s far more than just a World Cup. For all women, everywhere.