Someone asked for my opinion on the trending kissing scandal in Spain. Well, I believe he should resign.
Here's the background: On Monday, the Spanish women's team won the World Cup for the first time. In the euphoria of the trophy presentation ceremony, Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, visibly delighted, hugged Jennifer Hermoso – temporarily lifting Hermoso off her feet – before briefly speaking to her and then placing his hands on the back of her head, pulling her in to kiss her on the lips.
Not much was said at that moment as she continued to celebrate. About 24 hours later, questions were raised about the inappropriateness of that gesture all over the internet. Later, when asked about the exchange on Instagram Live, she appeared to be embarrassed and uncomfortable with the subject, replying: "Eh...yeah, I did not enjoy that."
That was when all hell broke loose.
You have to understand: Hermoso, 33, is one of women's football’s most recognizable stars after a nearly two-decade-long career. She enjoyed two hugely successful stints at both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, while also playing for Rayo Vallecano, Swedish side Tyreso, Paris Saint-Germain, and her current club, Pachuca of Mexico.
Understanding the outpouring of rage, Luis Rubiales quickly apologized, stating that his celebrations were "in a moment of euphoria." He reportedly begged Hermoso to appear next to him in an apology video, while Jorge Vilda, the team's coach, made several unsuccessful requests to Hermoso's family for her to come out in support of Rubiales.
The apology did not quell the widespread criticism. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed Rubiales' initial apology as "not enough."
Three days after the World Cup final, Hermoso issued a joint statement with the Spanish football players' union, advocating for "measures to protect the players against actions we believe are unacceptable." She asked for ‘exemplary measures’ against Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales was asked to resign.
That was when Rubiales went on the defensive. He stated he was not going to resign.
In a show of solidarity, 53 Spanish players, including all 23 members of the 2023 World Cup squad, signed a letter supporting Hermoso. They also pledged to refrain from playing for Spain's national team until there were changes in the federation's leadership. The worldwide representative organization for professional footballers called for immediate action and investigation of his actions under the FIFA code of ethics.
When the emergency Extraordinary General Assembly of the federation was convened yesterday, it was expected that Rubiales would resign. However, to the surprise of the press, he came out swinging, "A social assassination is taking place. I don't deserve this manhunt I have been enduring." He said the kiss was "consensual" and he saw no reason to step down from the office he has held for the past five years. The federation also defended him, hitting back at Hermoso with an official statement insisting that Luis Rubiales "has not lied." The federation also threatened to take legal action against Hermoso.
Nearly all the coaching staff for Spain’s women’s team have resigned, citing the “unacceptable attitude” of Luis Rubiales.
The latest development is that today, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee provisionally suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities at the national and international levels for a period of 90 days.
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Not-Fun Fact: In the locker room after the celebration, Rubiales reportedly put his arm around Hermoso and said, "There, we will celebrate the wedding of Jenni and Luis Rubiales" in Ibiza.
By Tosin Adeoti
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