2023-08-23 11:37:41
The pressure continues to mount on the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, since his forced kiss to the number 10 of the women’s national team, Jenny Hermoso. An exceptional general meeting will take place on Friday, when Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the leader to “go further than apologies”.
Published on: 08/23/2023 – 13:37
4 mn
The aggression still does not pass in a country at the forefront of women’s rights. Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, is in turmoil for forcibly kissing Jenny Hermoso, number 10 of the women’s team, on the mouth during the coronation of the team at the women’s world cup. The head of government, Pedro Sanchez, and several ministers are calling for his resignation. And the media Revelo indicates that Luis Rubiales allegedly pressured the player to play down the affair.
Footage shot on the podium at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Sunday showed Luis Rubiales kissing the player on the mouth, taking her head between his two hands. Taken up by Spanish media, the images spread like wildfire on social networks, sparking numerous criticisms of Luis Rubiales. “I didn’t like it, huh!” The Spanish No. 10 reacted instantly in the locker room during a live broadcast on Instagram.
Pressure on the player
In statements later released to the press by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and attributed to the player, she speaks of “a completely spontaneous mutual gesture due to the immense joy that comes from winning the World Cup “.
However, the Revelo media revealed on Tuesday August 22 that the player had no say in these alleged statements. They were written directly by the communication department of the Federation and without asking the player’s opinion.
At the same time, the Spanish sports media made other revelations which undermined the defense of the President of the Federation, far from the gesture of mutual joy mentioned. Revelo sources say Luis Rubiales and coach Jorge Vilda pressured the player and her family to keep a low profile and appear alongside him in the apology video released on Monday. A request that remained a dead letter.
In this video sent to the media, Luis Rubiales tried to apologize, invoking a “natural, normal” gesture: “In an increasingly fusional moment, without any bad intentions, without any bad faith, well, it happened what happened,” he said. And to add: “If there are people who have been hurt by this, I must apologize, there is nothing else to do.”
The Spanish Prime Minister in office, Pedro Sanchez, has increased the pressure on the president of the Spanish Football Federation, of which several ministers are asking for the resignation
While refraining from calling for the resignation of Luis Rubiales, Pedro Sanchez described the RFEF president’s gesture as “unacceptable” and his apologies as “insufficient” and “inappropriate”.
Pedro Sánchez, on whether he will request the resignation of Luis Rubiales:
????️ “The RFEF does not belong to the structure or organization chart of the Government of Spain. The president on duty is elected and dismissed by his associates”. pic.twitter.com/UFysRHfhau
— Relevo (@relevo) August 22, 2023
Pedro Sanchez, who spoke for the first time on this subject at a press conference, after being received by King Felipe VI to discuss the investiture of the next Prime Minister, also called on Luis Rubiales to “go more away” than his apologies.
A victory marred by controversy?
How far ? To a journalist who asked him if he wanted Luis Rubiales to resign, Pedro Sanchez contented himself with recalling that the Federation was not an organization under the Spanish government, in other words that he could not interfere in his business, leaving this possible care to Fifa, which did not react to requests from AFP on the subject.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, theAssociation of Spanish Footballers (AFE)which brings together players, “required that the competent authorities adopt the necessary measures” in the face of “the seriousness” of the facts.
“Under the protocol for action in the face of sexual violence established by the Higher Sports Council, forcibly kissing is qualified as unacceptable conduct with immediate consequences”, underlines the AFE, demanding “that the law apply in the case of Rubiales”.
“A unique and special moment of joy for Spanish footballers has been overshadowed by the inappropriate behavior of the president of the RFEF, which has reduced the visibility of the enormous sporting achievement achieved by the Spanish national team”, regrets the AFE.
The AFE thus returns the argument brandished previously by Luis Rubiales, who had evoked a victory “spoiled” by the controversy.
The RFEF announced that because of the “urgency”, it would hold an extraordinary general meeting on Friday devoted to this aggression. This could lead to the downfall of the leader.
With AFP
1692859469
#Luis #Rubiales #suspected #pressuring #player