US Women’s football legend Megan Rapinoe has hit out at the president of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, for kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Sunday’s 1-0 World Cup Final win over England. Rubiales was also caught making a gesture during celebrations, while also telling the Spanish dressing room that he would “marry” Hermoso in Ibiza.
Hermoso was far from impressed with Rubiales’ actions, saying that she “did not enjoy” the incident. Rubiales defended himself before walking it back and apologising.
Rubiales has received widespread criticism for his World Cup final antics, including from US women’s legend Rapinoe, who retired from international soccer following the USWNT’s failed title defense, which saw her miss a penalty in the knockout stage loss to Sweden. Rapinoe, 38, a two-time world champion and one-time Ballon d’Or winner, who used her platform throughout her career to shine a light on women’s rights and social justice issues, told The Athletic: “What kind of upside-down world are we in?
“On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating Jenni has to be physically assaulted by this guy. There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in the federation and in that man, at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.
“It made me think about how much we are required to endure. Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year [to protest poor treatment by their coach and federation] still aren’t on the team. Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.”
The Spanish prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, also hit out at Rubiales, stating that his apology was not enough. She said: “We continue to request the resignation of Rubiales, who has dehumanized and assaulted a woman. His excuses are useless at all.”
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Spain’s women’s team managed to clinch its first World Cup despite massive fallouts following their Euros quarterfinal defeat to England. World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda was also heavily criticized by many of his own players. A whopping 15 senior players, including a number of the best currently around in the women’s game, voiced their displeasure, with many refusing to be called up.
Vilda was not given a warm reception inside Stadium Australia last Sunday. In fact, the Spanish boss was booed, and sometimes even snubbed during celebrations by some of his own players.
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