Spanish Prime Minister speaks out, Rubiales finds it difficult to keep the position of president of the football federation

After Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, on the podium that was watched by the whole world , the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales hugged Jenni Hermoso and suddenly kissed her on the lips during the medal ceremony. Emotional acts that usually happen between lovers, or between a few family members, were tainted by Luis Rubiales with a forced… kiss in public, causing outrage among fans everywhere.

Rubiales' extremely rude "lip-locking" gesture with player Hermoso

Initially, Luis Rubiales responded with defiant words and actions to public criticism, but later, the RFEF president made a 180 ^-degree turn by releasing a video clip, apologizing for the indecent kiss and asserting that "he made a mistake".

Fans are upset with Rubiales

However, it seems too late for the head of the football federation who has repeatedly made serious mistakes in the football field. Luis Rubiales' apology was not enough to quell the storm of public opinion that strongly criticized the offensive behavior of female player Jenni Hermoso and later also the captain of the Spanish team Olga Carmona.

Luis Rubiales responded with a challenge but then had to post an apology clip.

Not only did Gender Equality Minister Irene Montero, head of the Ministry of Culture and Sports Miquel Iceta and Defense Minister Margarita Robles describe the kiss as "unacceptable", "sexual violence" and "abuse of power", even Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that "Rubiales' apology was not enough".

Speaking to the media, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasized: "The recent indecent acts show that in Spain, the path to achieving gender equality and the respect between men and women is still very long. Rubiales made an unacceptable gesture. I think the apology he gave was not enough, in my opinion, it was not satisfactory and Rubiales should do what needs to be done next."

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is unhappy with Rubiales' behavior.

The acting prime minister added: "The RFEF is not part of the Spanish government. The presidents of the federations and sports associations are elected or dismissed by their members. Mr Rubiales must make a clearer and more convincing apology."

More decisive than her leader, Spain's acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz also asserted that Jenni Hermoso had been "harassed and abused" and said that Rubiales should resign: "From what we have witnessed, we see that a woman has been harassed and assaulted. Rubiales's excuses are useless. We demand that the sports law and the football federation's regulations be applied in this case: Rubiales should resign."

Spain's celebrations overshadowed by public criticism of Rubiales

All are against Luis Rubiales, who is using the RFEF apparatus to protect his shaky position. According to a report from the Relevo media channel, Luis Rubiales himself and head coach Jorge Vilda repeatedly asked Jenni Hermoso to appear in the president's apology video clip, but the female striker firmly refused.

Hermoso was "uncomfortable" when Rubiales abused him and then impersonated him in the apology clip.

More notably, the explanation that Hermoso said in the clip when talking about Rubiales' rude behavior after the final match "His behavior towards everyone was excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude", was determined to be drafted and published by the RFEF... even though Hermoso himself did not say it or approve it for the RFEF and Rubiales to use to "deceive" public opinion.

People further doubted the information that Rubiales and Hermoso were romantically involved as well as the couple's upcoming wedding, as to minimize the "disgust" in Rubiales' behavior.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/the-thao/thu-tuong-tay-ban-nha-len-tieng-rubiales-kho-giu-ghe-chu-tich-lien-doan-bong-da-20230823105206878.htm