Spanish Cartola refuses to resign and says he is attacked by ‘false feminists’ – 08/25/2023 – Sport

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, announced that he will not resign in the face of criticism and accusations for kissing soccer player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the RFEF on Friday, Rubiales complained that “false feminists” are “trying to destroy me”. He described the act as a “little kiss” that was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”.

“A consensual kiss is going to get me out of here? I’m not going to resign. I’m going to fight until the end,” said Rubiales, earning applause from the predominantly male audience.

The RFEF president compared the kiss given to the player with one he would give his daughter: “there is no desire and there is no position of dominance”, he said.

The government has said it will take the incident to a sports court, where, if the kiss is proven not to have been consensual, the top hat could be tried under a sexual violence law introduced by the Socialists last year.

His speech drew immediate condemnation from acting Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz, who described it as “unacceptable”.

“The government must act and take urgent measures: impunity for sexist actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office,” wrote Diaz on social media.

Rubiales, 46, said in his speech that Hermoso was the one who initiated the physical contact by lifting him off the ground by his hips. He said that he asked the athlete if he could give her “a little kiss” and that she would have replied “ok”.

Criticism of Rubiales’ behavior has mounted over the week since the incident, which occurred as the players collected their medals after beating England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. As the players passed, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on his mouth.

Rubiales was also seen clutching his private parts in celebration as he stood alongside Queen Letizia in a booth at the stadium, for which he apologized on Friday.

That culminated in FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday after Hermoso said in a statement on Wednesday that his union was working to defend its interests and that such acts should never “go unpunished”.

Rubiales initially reacted defiantly to the criticism, describing his critics as “idiots”. But he quickly backtracked, posting an apology video recorded while returning from Sydney.

As it became apparent that his apology had not gained traction – with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez describing it as “insufficient” – regional RFEF leaders held a crisis meeting in Madrid on Thursday to discuss the future. de Rubiales and options for a possible successor, a source told Reuters.

‘Unacceptable’, says national team star

Alexia Putellas, star of the Spanish national team and twice named the best in the world, classified the top hat’s behavior as “unacceptable”.

“This is unacceptable. It’s over”, wrote the player on her social network. She even declared support for her teammate. “I’m with you mate @Jennihermoso.”

LaLiga president shoots hat

The president of LaLiga (Spain’s national championship), Javier Tebas, defended the dismissal of the top hat and stated that “the list of women and men harmed by Luis Rubiales in these years is too long”.

“The misogynistic gestures, the profane expressions, the protocol disaster and the insults of this latest global embarrassment are not a surprise,” wrote Tebas on the X social network, after Rubiales had ruled out resigning.

“The list of women and men harmed by Luis Rubiales in these years is too long and this has to end”, continued Tebas, who lamented that “the damage to the reputation of all Spanish football is now inevitable”.

Tebas starred in a clash with Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior this year, when the Brazilian was the target of racist insults in a LaLiga match. At the time, the manager insinuated on his social network that the player was being manipulated and that he would not let Vinicius tarnish the image of the competition.

Faced with an avalanche of criticism, including from Rubiales himself, Tebas announced a series of measures, criticized the Justice and asked for more powers to combat racism in Spanish football.

(With AFP)