Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips was a “unacceptable gesture,” according to Spain’s prime minister, and his apologies “is not enough.”
Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, president of the Spanish Football Federation Rubiales kissed forward Hermoso.
On Monday, Rubiales apologised and declared that he was “completely wrong.”
The gesture that we witnessed, according to the prime minister Pedro Sanchez, was inappropriate.
“Rubiales’ apologies are insufficient, and in my opinion, insufficient. He needs to keep making efforts to make clear what we all seen.
The players gave it their all to win, but Rubiales’ actions demonstrate that much work needs to be done to achieve equality.
Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s second deputy prime minister, demanded Rubiales’ resignation.
Their justifications, she said, “are worthless.”[The Spain team] has taught us a lot about equality, not just in football and sports.
“They have demonstrated to us that there is still much work to be done in our nation in order to achieve gender equality.”
Hermoso said on Instagram that she “didn’t like” Rubiales’ behaviour after the championship game, but the Spain forward afterwards issued a statement in his defence.
In a video posted on Monday, Rubiales stated: “It occurred at a time when there was a lot of enthusiasm, without any malice intended. We perceived it as natural at the time, but chaos has since developed outside.
I must apologise, take responsibility for my actions, and acknowledge that being president requires greater caution.
Other Spanish government officials have also denounced Rubiales, and he has received backlash on social media for grabbing and kissing Hermoso.
Irene Montero, Spain’s equalities minister, stated: “It’s a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis,” and Miquel Iceta, Spain’s sports minister, told Spanish public radio that Rubiales kissing Hermoso was “unacceptable.”
Online videos that were shared after the game also showed Rubiales grabbing his groyne as he celebrated the last whistle while seated close to Queen Letizia of Spain and Fifa president Gianni Infantino in the VIP section of the stadium.
Source :BBC
