Soccer Spain World Champions
That kiss on the mouth sparked a national debate
Status: 21.08.2023 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Player defends Spanish federation president after kiss at award ceremony
The kiss on the mouth of Jenni Hermoso by Spanish football association president Luis Rubiales at the award ceremony after the World Cup final against England caused outrage. Now the player has spoken up and defended Rubiales.
Jennifer Hermoso wins the World Cup with Spain. Association President Rubiales is overjoyed at the award ceremony and kisses the heroine on the mouth. The outcry is great, Rubiales speaks of “idiots” – and the player soon changes her mind.
World champions – for the first time. But after the victory in the World Cup final over England, the Spanish public no longer only discussed Olga Carmona’s golden goal. A kiss from federation president Luis Rubiales causes a stir and loud criticism amidst the jubilation. The Spanish Minister for Social Rights, Ione Belarra, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “We all think: If they do this in front of the whole of Spain, what will they not do in private? Sexual violence against women must end.”
With Queen Letizia beaming in their midst, Spain’s footballers chanted ‘Campeonas! Campeonas del mundo!” and proudly showed their first star on their jersey. The players around Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Salma Paralluelo celebrated their historic triumph at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in Sydney. “It’s difficult to describe, it’s a huge joy,” said controversial coach Jorge Vilda. “I’m incredibly proud of this team. We have shown that we can also fight, that we are capable of suffering.”
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The Spaniards had disenchanted European champions England in a rousing final with 1:0 (1:0). Captain Olga Carmona scored the decisive goal for the extremely strong new world champions in the 29th minute. England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a hand penalty from Jennifer Hermoso (70th) in front of 75,784 spectators. The 33-year-old Spaniard cried after the final whistle during the TV interview and said in a shaky voice: “We’ve been trying for so many days to imagine what it’s like to be world champions. We couldn’t.”
Politicians criticize Rubiales
Above all, the shooter of the penalty could hardly have foreseen such a course of the award ceremony, in which she involuntarily became the center of attention. In any case, a kiss from Spain’s association president Luis Rubiales for Hermoso is now causing a stir. Rubiales hugged and hugged the Spanish players at the ceremony after the 1-0 win.
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Videos posted on social media showed Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the cheek and also on the mouth after a hug on that occasion. Rubiales held the player’s head with both hands. “I didn’t like it,” said the 33-year-old later when asked about the scene. On social media, many users expressed clear criticism of Rubiales’ behavior, who also kissed and hugged other players.
Luis Rubiales in exuberance: Here the president of the association kisses player Alba Redondo on the cheek
Quelle: AP/Rick Rycroft
Late on Sunday evening, however, Jennifer Hermoso apparently changed her mind and rejected the critical comments on the action. “It was a very spontaneous mutual gesture because of the great joy of winning a World Cup,” she said.
“The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere”
Hermoso’s statement was sent to some media by the Spanish federation RFEF. In it, the striker from Mexican club Pachuca adds: “The ‘Presi’ and I have a great relationship. His behavior towards us all was excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
Striking: Spain’s association president Luis Rubiales (right) caused discussions with his behavior at the award ceremony
What: AP/Mark Baker
Rubiales himself had previously classified the scene in a similar way. “The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere,” he told the critics in an interview with Radio Marca: “When two people have a moment of affection that has no further meaning, you shouldn’t listen to idiots. We are the winners and I stand by that.”
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A view that only increased the outrage. One should not assume that kissing without consent is something that just happens, wrote Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s a form of sexual violence that we women suffer every day and that has so far been invisible and that we are not allowed to normalize,” said the 35-year-old politician. This is a task for society as a whole. “Acceptance is key. Only a yes is a yes,” the minister clarified, alluding to the tightening of sexual criminal law last year.
The left-wing government had introduced a bill that would require all persons involved to expressly agree to sexual acts in the future. This has been legally binding since August 2022.
