By Shaun Murphy-
The president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, has been provisionally suspended by Fifa, six days after he grabbed forward Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lip following the triumph of the Spanish Women football team at the World Cup last Saturday.
The Women’s World Cup winners had threatened to seize playing while the country’s federation boss Luis Rubiales clung onto his job , after Rubiales refused to resign over the row, as he attempted to justify his actions and claim Hetrmoso had consented to the kiss.
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FIFA announced its suspension of Rubiales from “all football-related activities” in the wake of the row.
Hermoso said on Friday she did not consent, but the federation ignorantly questioned her version of events, with Rubiales originally defiant about resigning in the wake of the row.
The president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, has been provisionally suspended by Fifa, six days after he grabbed forward Jenni Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips during th
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The Women’s World Cup winners had been refusing to play while the country’s federation boss Luis Rubiales clings onto his job – as FIFA provisionally suspended him on Saturday from “all football-related activities”.
The 46-year-old had refused to step down despite mounting pressure from within Spanish football and the government.
As FIFA opened up disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The investigation stems from an unsolicited kiss Rubiales planted on player Jenni Hermoso, after Spain’s World Cup victory over England.
In a joint statement released in the last few moments, the staff said they condemned the actions of Luis Rubiales at last weekend’s medal ceremony.
They supported the account of Jenni Hermoso and criticized “unacceptable” statements made by Rubiales.
The coaching staff said Rubiales’ account “does not reflect” the events which followed Spain’s victory over England.
This gesture, along with Rubiales’ subsequent behavior, has ignited widespread outrage and demands for his resignation. As the nation’s football governing body faces an unprecedented crisis, the question looms large: Should Rubiales continue to lead?
The controversy began after Spain clinched the World Cup title by defeating England. However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly turned sour due to Rubiales’ actions.
The now infamous kiss forcibly planted on Jenni Hermoso’s lips triggered a cascade of criticism. Beyond Hermoso, Rubiales was seen embracing and kissing other Spain players on the cheek, and in another distasteful act, he grabbed his crotch during a victory gesture in the presence of 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofía and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Rubiales’ initial response was combative, labeling his critics as “idiots.” However, the backlash against his conduct, both within Spain and globally, became too much to ignore. Amid mounting pressure, he eventually issued an apology, acknowledging the gravity of his behaviour.
However, many people do not consider this apology enough to mend the damage caused and restore the dignity of his position.
The kiss and subsequent actions not only overshadowed Spain’s World Cup victory, but raised concerns about a far-reaching problem. The fact that such behavior is not befitting of a leader in any capacity, especially within a professional sport, in the glare of the whole world, at the very peak of World Cup!
This was a sport that prides itself on inclusivity and respect. The incident drew condemnation from various quarters, including government ministers, football associations, and players.
The call for Rubiales’ resignation came not only from the public but also from high-ranking government officials. Spain’s Acting Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, deemed his apology “insufficient and inadequate,” while the Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister, Yolanda Díaz, directly called for Rubiales to step down.
The sentiment was echoed by numerous figures across the government and Spanish sports community.
The focus now shifts to the independent inquiry into Rubiales’ behavior. FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings not only reflect the severity of the situation, but also highlight the urgent need for accountability. The inquiry will delve into the role of the Greater Spanish Football Federation, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Rubiales’ behavior and its aftermath.
While Rubiales’ resignation is essential for restoring the dignity of the ( RFEF) and the sport itself, the inquiry should go beyond his personal actions. It should encompass a broader examination of the culture and practices within the RFEF. The objective should be to ensure that such incidents do not recur and to establish a strong precedent for responsible leadership within football governing bodies.
One of the underlying issues this incident sheds light on is the underrepresentation of women in the football administration. The RFEF, with just six women among its 140 members, reflects a significant gender imbalance. This disparity not only highlights a lack of diverse perspectives but also raises questions about the effectiveness of the leadership in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment.
The incident underscores the importance of fostering respectful relationships between players and administrators. Football administrators hold an undue position of power, and their behavior has a direct impact on the players and the overall environment of the sport.
As leaders, they football chiefs are expected to uphold the values of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism, setting an example for all involved in the game.
The FIFA disciplinary proceedings, as well as the broader call for change, have sparked discussions about the responsibility of football administrators to adhere to high ethical standards.
The incident serves as a wake-up call to re-evaluate the criteria for leadership positions within football governing bodies. The ability to lead with integrity, empathy, and respect should be central to such roles.
Late on Friday night, several high-ranking members of the federation resigned, including Rafael del Amo, who oversaw women’s football, and a handful of others who represented the federation in regions across the country.
During the Women’s World Cup medal presentation on Sznday, Rubiales sought to defend his actions and suggest the aggrieved plyer had consented to the kiss he forcefully planted on her lips. His defensive explanation had drawn an artificial applause among the federation members in attendance, including Jorge Vilda, the coach of the Spanish women’s national team, and men’s national team coach, Luis de la Fuente.
While he apologized unreservedly for grabbing his crotch as La Roja won the World Cup, describing it as an “unfortunate gesture”, he claimed the kiss that threatened to overshadow the team’s achievements had been consensual, despite the player insisting that she didn’t like it.
All said, no one has suggested a possible problem that Rubiales may have: managing himself in moments of high emotion. Or issues of mental health. If so, he shouldn’t have been given a job where unpredictable behaviour might surface. The incidents all hovered around sexuality. Perhaps Rubiales needs help as well as resignation.
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has shown his “unconditional support” to the Spanish women’s team, as he “condemns the behaviour” of the Spanish football chief.
He expressed his “feelings of shame and sadness” that the row has overshadowed the victory of the Spanish women’s team.
“Such a historic feat for our sport, and instead we are talking about this intolerable behaviour.”
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