Luis Rubiales, the head of Spanish football, remains steadfast in his position despite mounting pressure to resign in the wake of a public uproar surrounding an unsolicited kiss he planted on player Jenni Hermoso’s lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory. At 46, Rubiales defied expectations of stepping down as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), even as government officials, sports figures, and FIFA initiated disciplinary actions against him.
During an emergency meeting of the football federation, Rubiales passionately declared, “I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign.” He vehemently countered the mounting clamor, stating, “A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end.”
Rubiales characterized the pressure directed at him as an attempt to “publicly assassinate” his reputation. His steadfast stance garnered applause from controversial women’s coach Jorge Vilda.
Rubiales recounted that the kiss was intended to console Hermoso, who had missed a penalty in the final match against England. He emphasized, “It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric, and consensual.”
Amidst the furor, Rubiales criticized what he termed “false feminism” and shared his perception of being “hunted” since assuming his role in May 2018. Despite admitting his mistakes and seeking forgiveness, Rubiales decried the relentless scrutiny he has endured.
Rubiales’ determination triggered swift political reactions. Second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz asserted on X, the erstwhile Twitter, that the display witnessed at the federation assembly was “unacceptable,” urging immediate governmental intervention against such “macho actions.”
In response to the incident, a complaint regarding “an alleged crime of sexual assault” was submitted by Miguel Galan, president of the country’s football coaching school, to Madrid’s prosecutor’s office. The High Council of Sport (CSD) announced its intention to take action against Rubiales and referred complaints received about the incident to the Spanish Sports Court (TAD).
CSD president Victor Francos underscored the gravity of the situation, asserting that this episode could potentially be the “Me Too” moment for Spanish football. Francos expressed his readiness to suspend Rubiales if TAD initiates proceedings against him.
The aftermath of the incident witnessed fervent support for Hermoso from her international teammates, as well as Spain’s men’s players, signaling a wider debate around gender equity and professional conduct in sports leadership. The complex dynamics surrounding the incident cast a spotlight on the intersection of sports, gender norms, and societal expectations.
