Spanish Football Federation President Rejects Resignation… National team players ‘boycott’
“Attack of false feminists… not contact without consent”
Government announces ‘exercise of skills’… Barcelona and Real Madrid condemned
After kissing a player unexpectedly at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup awards ceremony in Australia and New Zealand,
President Rubiales
Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales refused to resign, causing a storm.
According to the Associated Press, President Rubiales stood on the podium after the association’s emergency meeting held in Madrid, Spain on the 25th (local time) and repeated four times, “I will not resign.”
President Rubiales concluded that this incident was a “false feminist attack” and emphasized that his kiss was an act of mutual consent. 바카라사이트
Women’s World Cup
He grabbed Jennifer Hermoso‘s face with both hands and kissed him at the awards ceremony after the Spanish national team won the Women’s World Cup on the 20th.
Afterwards, Hermoso revealed that he “didn’t feel good,” and criticism continued that President Rubiales’ actions were physical contact without consent equivalent to sexual violence.
However, President Rubiales repeatedly emphasized that he had confirmed Hermoso’s intention before the action in question.
Hermoso
It was Hermoso’s request at the time to hug him and lift him up, Chairman Rubiales claims that he also received an answer of “do it” to the request “Can I kiss you lightly?”
President Rubiales said, “It was a kiss that I could give my daughters.”
Earlier, Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero said, “Don’t take kissing without consent as a matter of course.”
Immediately after the declaration of ‘refusal to resign’, Hermoso refuted that he had never agreed to a kiss through the local players’ union, Footpro, and that there was no conversation itself mentioned by President Rubiales.
Hermoso, who has since issued repeated statements on social media, said she “shouldn’t be a victim of this kind of behavior without consent in any workplace.”
The 23-member women’s national team, including the main player Hermoso, made a statement through the foot pro and expressed their intention to ‘boycott’.
In addition to these, 66 other players were also named in a statement stating that they would no longer play for the national team wearing the Spanish uniform if President Rubiales kept his position.
The Spanish government is expected to launch a ‘skills event’.
National Sports Council
According to the National Sports Council (CSD), the government plans to file a lawsuit against President Rubiales for violating sports-related laws.
When legal proceedings begin, President Rubiales’ qualifications may be temporarily suspended.
Furthermore, if the ‘sex discriminatory act’ is recognized in the court, it seems that he will be dismissed immediately.
Football Clubs
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, two major Spanish professional football clubs,
also joined the condemnation procession.
Barcelona condemned Rubiales’ actions as “absolutely inappropriate”,
while Real Madrid said they welcomed the government’s move to disciplinary action.
In addition, each club is also adding their voices,
such as Sevilla directly demanding the resignation of President Rubiales.
European Football Federation
While FIFA has also entered a disciplinary review against President Rubiales,
the only body currently keeping silent is the European Football Federation (UEFA).
Rubiales is also the current Vice-President of UEFA.
President Rubiales is promoting the bid to host the 2030 Men’s World Cup, promoted by UEFA.
UEFA wants to host the World Cup in Europe
by combining Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Ukraine.
Criticism of President Rubiales is heating up inside and outside Spain.
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas (retired), who led the golden age of the Spanish men’s national team, wrote on social media,
“It’s really embarrassing,” and active striker Borja Iglesias (Real Betis) announced that he would refuse to call up the national team.
Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol also pointed out,
“I deeply regret that people in positions of responsibility in the sports world have shown behavior and attitudes that lack equality and respect for others.”