FIFA is investigating the Spanish Soccer Federation President Luis Rubiales for kissing a female Spanish player on the lips at the trophy celebration and ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England at the Women’s World Cup.
The president of the Spanish soccer federation (@rfef), Luis Rubiales, is under fire for inappropriately kissing a player on the mouth following the team’s historic win at the World Cup. #FIFAWWC
We have something to say about this ⬇️ (Thread) 🧵 1/11 pic.twitter.com/rJ54gArlOK
— Transparency International (@anticorruption) August 22, 2023
Rubiales is as classy as a billy goat. Here is a picture of him at the moment Spain was crowned champion.
Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales grabs his crotch in the moment of Spanish victory in the VVIP Section, where he was seated besides members of the Spanish Royal Family. He would proceed to kiss Jenni Hermoso on the mouth during the trophy presentation. Hermoso later… pic.twitter.com/cSF9dlNk2p
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 21, 2023
Mr Rubiales sat in a box of luxury near the Queen Letizia and Princess Sofia, both 16 years old.
The goat kissed Jenni Hermoso — an act that the women’s soccer superstar certainly did not welcome. She issued a brief statement after the incident saying that she “didn’t like the kiss.”
Rubiales defended the kissing as a harmless act.
FanNation:
Rubiales apologized Monday, but only after telling Spanish radio COPE the day before that anyone who did not see it as “a kiss between friends celebrating something” was “idiots or stupid people”.
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s acting Prime Minister, also weighed in. “It was a gesture that is unacceptable and Mr. Rubiale’s apologies were not sufficient; they weren’t even appropriate. Sanchez, according to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, said that Rubiales must continue to take steps in order for him to clarify what he saw.
It appears that there is some intrigue surrounding this incident.
NPR:
Hermoso, in a press release sent to the Spanish news agency EFE by Hermoso, played down Rubiale’s kiss.
“It was a spontaneous gesture between the two of us, prompted by our immense joy at winning a World Cup,” she said in a statement to Reuters. “The ‘press,’ me and my family have always had a good relationship. His behavior towards us all has been 10 out of 10. This was a gesture of love and gratitude.”
Relevo, however, reports that Hermoso didn’t actually say or write that statement.
Hermoso instead issued her own statement, in collaboration with her union and agency.
Hermoso, in a Wednesday statement, said that “my union, FUTPRO in coordination with TMJ, is taking care to defend my interests and be the interlocutors in this matter.” “We request that the RFEF implement the necessary protocol and ensure our players’ rights and adopt exemplary actions.”
The statement went on to say that it was “essential that our national team be represented by figures who project its values of equal treatment and respect in every area.”
Rubiales’ tenure in his current position is likely to be short. The players’ union is calling for his resignation, and the majority of the Spanish government wants him to step down. In 2023 you won’t kiss a girl without her consent. No matter what your job title is or how hot the moment may be, it’s not done.
Grabbing your crotch to show a 16-year-old girl is not only obscene but bordering on criminal.
