- Rubiales defended himself, dismissing critics as “idiots” and downplaying the gesture’s significance
- Spain’s World Cup victory was overshadowed by a dispute between players and coach Jorge Vilda
Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish football federation, has faced strong backlash in his country for kissing footballer Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after the World Cup final in Sydney.
However, Rubiales dismissed his critics as “idiots.” Spain’s women’s team won the World Cup with a 1-0 victory against England, but the actions before the trophy ceremony made many people in Spain uncomfortable, including government officials.
“It is a form of sexual assault that we women suffer every day and that has been invisible until now and we must not normalise it.
“Consent is key. Only a yes is a yes,” Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belarra also wrote about the incident on X.
“We are all thinking: if they do this in front of the whole of Spain, what will they not do in private? Sexual violence against women must end,” she remarked.
Rubiales hugged all of Spain’s players but the 45-year-old also kissed Hermoso on the mouth after embracing her and kissing her on the cheek.
“I didn’t like it,” the 33-year-old said.
Spain’s World Cup triumph came in spite of a huge row between the squad and coach Jorge Vilda over his methods.
Some players boycotted the squad before the tournament in protest but Rubiales stuck by his coach.
Rubiales also defended himself over the kiss, telling Radio Marca:
“The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere. When two people share an unimportant gesture of mutual affection, you can’t pay attention to the crap that’s being said.”
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