2023-08-22 14:26:43
MADRID – The Spanish Prime Minister in office, Pedro Sánchez, increased the pressure on Tuesday on the president of the Spanish Soccer Federation, whose several ministers are demanding the resignation for having forcibly kissed on the mouth, Sunday, a player of the team of Spain won the Women’s World Cup in soccer.
While refraining from calling for the resignation of Luis Rubiales, Mr. Sánchez went very far in his criticism, calling the gesture of the president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) “unacceptable” and his apology d ‘insufficient’ and ‘inappropriate’.
The head of government in office, who spoke for the first time on this subject at a press conference after being received by King Felipe VI to discuss the inauguration of the next prime minister, also called Mr. Rubiales to “go further” than his apologies.
How far? To a journalist who asked him if he wanted Mr. Rubiales to resign, Mr. Sánchez contented himself with recalling that the Federation was not an organization under the Spanish government, in other words that he could not interfere in its affairs.
A few hours earlier, Mr. Sánchez had received the players of the “Roja” (nickname of the Spanish national teams) at La Moncloa Palace to celebrate their triumph at the World Cup, exchanging on this occasion a very brief handshake with Luis Rubiales.
“The Age of Women”
He also declared that “this 21st century must be – it will be, I am convinced – the century of women in all fields”.
Mr. Rubiales’ gesture was all the more shocking in Spain as the country has for many years been a pioneer in the fight against sexism and sexual violence.
Moreover, the outgoing left-wing government of Mr. Sánchez wants to be at the forefront in this sector.
On the images shot on the podium of the Sydney stadium on Sunday evening, just after the coronation of the Spanish team, we see Mr. Rubiales taking the head of striker Jennifer Hermoso between his two hands, before kissing her by surprise on the mouth.
“I didn’t like it, huh! “, reacted the Spanish No. 10 in the locker room during a live broadcast on Instagrambefore smiling at the camera.
She later explained, in statements sent to the press by the RFEF, that it was “a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that comes from winning a World Cup”.
“The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us was perfect and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,” she added.
” Nothing else to do “
Faced with the extent of the controversy on social networks and abroad, Mr. Rubiales apologized in a video, citing a “natural, normal” gesture.
“In an increasingly fusional moment, without any bad intentions, without any bad faith, well, what happened happened,” he said. And to add that “if there are people who have been hurt by this, I must apologize, there is nothing else to do”.
But these excuses were not enough to extinguish the scandal. Several Spanish ministers, including the number three in the government, the communist Yolanda Diaz, have denounced his behavior and called for his resignation.
“What Rubiales did is an intolerable example of the machismo that we women continue to endure,” she wrote on Xformerly Twitter. His excuses, she added, “are useless”.
What Rubiales did is an intolerable example of the machismo that women continue to endure.
Our champions are an example of equality and future. But there’s still a lot to do. Advancing equal pay in football and ending these abuses is essential. pic.twitter.com/NbhLiUyCGt
— Yolanda Diaz (@Yolanda_Diaz_)
August 21, 2023
For his part, the Minister of Sports, Miquel Iceta, had demanded an apology from the president of the federation, also describing his gesture as “unacceptable”.
But the most vehement was the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, who wrote a long message on X. ” It is very simple. Two people kiss each other if they both want to, if there is consent. Only a yes is a yes,” she said, in a reference to an explicit sexual consent law.
It is very simple. Two people kiss if both want, if there is consent.
Only yes is yes.— Irene Montero (@IreneMontero)
August 21, 2023
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