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The antics of Spain\u2019s football federation president Luis Rubiales at Sunday\u2019s World Cup final highlight the level of \u201cmisogyny and sexism\u201d within the organisation, American star Megan Rapinoe has said.<\/p>\n
Rubiales issued an apology on Monday for kissing Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony, something Rapinoe described as a \u201cphysical assault\u201d, and was also pictured grabbing his crotch in celebration of his country\u2019s win over England in Sydney.<\/p>\n
He is still facing calls to resign, with Spain\u2019s prime minister Pedro Sanchez describing the apology as \u201cinsufficient\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Spanish federation (RFEF) announced on Tuesday night it had called an extraordinary meeting of its general assembly for Friday, and that \u201cinternal proceedings\u201d were open in relation to integrity issues arising from the trophy ceremony.<\/p>\n
Rapinoe, who featured in the World Cup for the United States, told American magazine The Atlantic: \u201cThere was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man (Rubiales) at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fifteen Spain players were involved in a dispute with the federation prior to the finals, with the coaching methods of Jorge Vilda reportedly among their concerns.<\/p>\n
However, the RFEF refused to budge, with a statement saying those involved would only be able to return to the national team \u201cif they accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThink how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: some of the players who stood up way back last year still aren\u2019t on the team,\u201d Rapinoe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe that was something that galvanised them, but you shouldn\u2019t have to have that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubiales said on Monday the kiss happened \u201cin a spontaneous way\u201d and \u201cwithout bad intention\u201d but said it \u201cseems like it has caused a commotion\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hermoso initially said on social media she \u201cdidn\u2019t like\u201d the kiss but a statement on her behalf was later released by the RFEF in which she described it as \u201cspontaneous\u201d.<\/p>\n
There have been reports that the statement was issued without Hermoso\u2019s consent, but a source at the RFEF denied that was the case.<\/p>\n
FIFA has so far not issued any comment on the matter, and nor has UEFA, for whom Rubiales is an executive committee member and a vice-president.<\/p>\n
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World players\u2019 union FIFPRO described Rubiales\u2019 behaviour as \u201cdeeply lamentable\u201d, adding: \u201cUninitiated and uninvited physical gestures towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is especially true when players are put in a position of vulnerability because a physical approach or gesture is initiated by a person who holds power over them.\u201d<\/p>\n