The President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has found himself embroiled in controversy and legal challenges following a kiss he planted on midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup trophy presentation. Here are the key points of the case:
Luis Rubiales:
Luis Rubiales, 46, had a career as a defender with lower league clubs in Spain and Hamilton Academical in Scotland until 2009.
He became the president of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) in 2010 and was elected to lead the RFEF in 2018.
He pledged to modernize the RFEF’s structure, increase turnover, and enhance transparency after a corruption scandal.
Rubiales made headlines when he sacked Spain’s manager, Julen Lopetegui, just two days before the 2018 World Cup in Russia due to Lopetegui’s pre-agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament.
He faced further controversy when members of the Spanish women’s team rebelled against their coach, Jorge Vilda, last year. The RFEF backed Vilda, leading to the removal of 12 of the 15 players involved from the squad that ultimately won the World Cup.
Incident at Women’s World Cup:
Following Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, Rubiales celebrated by grabbing his crotch, an act that occurred near Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Sofia.
During the medal presentation, Rubiales held Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips.
Hermoso reportedly told her teammates, “Hey, I didn’t like it,” in the locker room, but the federation initially downplayed the incident.
Hermoso later clarified that she did not agree to the kiss and considered herself a victim of sexism.
Reactions and Consequences:
Rubiales initially called his critics “idiots” but later apologized, admitting that he was wrong and acted without malice during a moment of celebration.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales and provisionally suspended him from all football-related activities for 90 days.
Despite the suspension, Rubiales refused to resign, vowing to fight to the end, receiving support from some quarters.
Public criticism of Rubiales, especially his defiance, was substantial in Spain and internationally. However, it also sparked backlash in some circles against feminism.
Spain’s government, led by the socialist party, strongly condemned the kiss, with Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz terming it an “attack” and the acting Equality Minister Irene Montero asserting that “sexism is over.”
Numerous figures in the football world, including Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, condemned Rubiales’s actions, and 81 professionals, including the entire World Cup-winning squad, declared they would no longer play for the national side under the current leadership.
In support of Rubiales, his mother, Angeles Bejar, initiated a hunger strike in a church in their hometown of Motril on August 28 to protest against what she called “the inhumane and bloody hunt” against her son.
Legal Challenges Ahead:
Luis Rubiales now faces at least three legal and administrative challenges, which could result in sanctions ranging from removal from office to imprisonment.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee is conducting hearings on the matter.
The Spanish High Court’s prosecutor is considering contacting Jenni Hermoso to explore the possibility of a criminal complaint for sexual aggression.
The state-run National Sports Council (CSD) has requested its Sport Administrative Court (TAD) to investigate the complaints.
Rubiales and the RFEF intend to take legal action to prove his innocence and reject what they term as a campaign by “false feminists.”
