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Spain women's won the world cup but their victory was marred by the Spanish head of football, Luis Rubiales, who planted a kiss on professional footballer Jennifer Hermoso. Recently, Spain's acting Prime Minister has added his voice to those calling it "unacceptable" and urging the organisation that regulates sport in Spain to take action.
Rubiales also made a celebration gesture by grabbing his crotch right after Spain's triumph. According to reports, Princess Infanta Sofia, age 16, and Queen Letizia of Spain were present in close proximity when it happened.
He was seen pulling Hermoso by the head and bringing her towards him for a kiss on the lips as Spain's women celebrated their World Cup victory over England on Sunday. The footballer stated a few minutes after the incident that she did not like it, which has caused an uproar all over the sporting fraternity.
On Tuesday, Pedro Sánchez, the acting Prime Minister of Spain, claimed that Rubiales's action demonstrated how far Spain still needed to advance in terms of gender equality and women's rights. He told reporters, "What we saw was an unacceptable gesture. And the apologies he has given are not enough; I believe they are not adequate. He needs to continue to take steps to clarify what we all saw.”
Also read: I was wrong - Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales apologises for kissing Jennifer Hermoso
The acting minister of equality, Irene Montero, too, did not approve of the act and called it a “form of sexual violence” while the Dutch players’ union Fifpro described it as “not appropriate or acceptable in any context”.
The 45-year-old former footballer Rubiales oversaw the Spanish branch of the World Players' Union for eight years before being chosen to head the national football federation in 2018. Since then, he has redesigned the Spanish Super Cup and, in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, sold the hosting rights to Saudi Arabia for millions of dollars.
With so many big political names speaking up against Rubiales, it is not known whether he will continue to be the President of the football association after the elections scheduled for next year. The president of the soccer federation is chosen by representatives of clubs, players, coaches, referees, and regional federation heads.
