Irene Montero, a Spanish lawmaker, has charged Luis Rubiales, the president of Spain‘s national football team, with’sexual aggression’ against Jenni Hermoso after he kissed her on the lips on Sunday during their celebration of winning the World Cup.
Olga Carmona’s superb first-half goal was enough to defeat the Lionesses as Spain defeated England 1-0 in Sydney to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.
However, the team’s victory over England was followed by a significant altercation between the players, the Spanish Football Federation, and the team’s coach Jorge Vilda, who was shunned by some of the players.
For supporting Vilda after 15 Spanish players pulled out of the team prior to the competition citing worries for their mental health while on the team, Rubiales has come under fire.
Additionally, the acts of the head of the Spanish FA at the World Cup final celebrations on Sunday have come under increased criticism because he kissed Hermoso on the lips shortly after she received her medal.
The Minister of Equality of Spain, Montero, criticised Rubiales’ choice to kiss Hermoso in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Let’s not assume that sharing a kiss without permission is just something that “happens”. We cannot normalise this form of sexual assault against women that they experience on a daily basis and which has remained hidden up until now, Montero said.
The entire society must work on it. Consent is the main focus. Just yes is yes.
Hermoso expressed her displeasure with Rubiales’ conduct to Spanish TV network La 1, saying: “Eh… yeah, I did not enjoy that.”
Hermoso added in a statement on Sunday night: “It was a completely spontaneous gesture on both sides brought on by the immense joy of winning a World Cup.”
“The president and I get along great; he’s been exemplary in how he’s treated us all, and that was just a natural expression of love and gratitude.”
“We’ve won a World Cup, and we won’t stray from what’s important,” the speaker said. “There’s no need to overthink a gesture of friendship and gratitude.”
When questioned about his behaviour, Rubiales said to Radio Marca: “Idiots are everywhere.
We can’t listen to nonsense when two people make a small display of devotion, she said. What sticks with me is that we are champions.