Luis Rubiales remained steadfast despite mounting criticism. Credit: Getty Images/Aidan Rubio
Friday was supposed to be the day Luis Rubiales finally did the right thing and resigned after an infamous forced kiss with Spain's World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso. But, as we have learned, Rubiales and decency are incompatible.
The last five days, the Spanish women's team had to bathe in glory after defeating England in the final. Instead, their own federation became the laughingstock of the world. The headlines have been the focus of attention for Rubiales, who remains the president of the Spanish Football Federation for the moment.
On Friday we waited for him to fall on the sword. But in an extraordinary display of defiance, he doubled down on the apology he hesitantly made this week, emphasizing that his «peck» with the Spanish player on the biggest stage was «consensual» before proceeding to lecture the room on «false feminism.» «. «No voy a dimitir,» he barked at least five times, as if reassuring himself that he was doing the right thing, to the predominantly male room, which erupted in muted applause.
By the way, these were the same people who supported Jorge Wilda, the head coach of the Spanish women's national team, when the players spoke out about his disciplinary regime during the team's rebellion last year. It was Rubiales, a male chauvinist resorting to the lowest tactics in an attempt to stay in power, determined not to let go of his own dictatorship.
It's hard to know what's more staggering — the fact that Rubiales had the audacity to consider it perfectly acceptable to continue in his role after sexually assaulting a female player (an act so regrettable that it angered Spanish politicians and even the country's prime minister and caused a social media storm on last week), or that his pals from the Spanish Football Federation were wholeheartedly supportive.
In the course of his painful monologue, all the progress made by women's football over the past decade threatened to be destroyed by this rude act. But what Rubiales and his friends didn't take into account in their reflections was the visceral response not only from the women's game, but from the world of football itself. Before Rubiales could finish addressing the crowd, Borja Iglesias, Spain and Betis striker, announced on social media that he would no longer play for the national team while Rubiales was in power.
“I have made the decision not to play for the Spanish national team until the situation changes and such actions go unpunished,” he said. Alexia Putellas, winner of the Spanish Women's Ballon d'Or and one of the greatest players the match has ever seen, said: «It's over. I'm with you Jenny. Mapi León, one of Spain's top players who missed the World Cup after defending her position in protest against Vilda, also spoke out. “The images speak for themselves,” she said. «This is unacceptable. For all women, with you, Jenny.»
Jennifer Hermoso has received widespread support from the football community. Photo: Getty Images/Maddy Meyer
A few hours later, the Spanish women's team released a joint statement stating that they would no longer represent their country until the leadership of the federation was changed. Hermoso, who was supposed to have the most festive week of her life, set the record on Friday night.
“I want to clarify that I never agreed to the kiss that he gave me, and in no case did I seek to remove the president,” she said. «I do not tolerate my word being questioned, and even more so that words are invented that I did not say.» The English Lionesses also expressed their solidarity, saying in a statement: «We support you, Jenny Hermoso and all the players of the Spanish team.»
Of all the villains in this unfortunate saga, we should point the finger at FIFA, given how sluggish football's global governing body has acted in this painful episode. His silence after the Rubiales case was deafening, and his apathy only confirmed his behavior.
The fact that it took FIFA four days to open disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales shows how seriously they take women's safety. This act of sexual violence took place before his eyes, on his stage, but he did not fulfill his duty. It's been less than a week since Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, ranted about his patronizing horse dung heap, which was supposed to be a rallying cry for women.
On the contrary, it was a condescending reminder that in the patriarchal minefield of football, they can do anything to succeed — but on one condition. “Choose the right battles. Choose the right fights. You have the opportunity to change,” he said in a speech that collapsed like a lead balloon. Well, the women have chosen their battle.
They are at war with Rubiales and a toxic system that needs to be radically overhauled so that such a brazen act will never happen again in football. How empty the words of Infantino sound now.
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