Read the resignation of the president of the Spanish Football Federation: Kissing female footballers shocks the world and severely punishes sexual harassment in the workplace
On September 11, Beijing time, Spanish Football Federation President Rubiales issued an open letter and finally announced his resignation, 22 days after his scene at the women's World Cup final award ceremony. What exactly is going on in this incident, and why Rubiarez has been unanimously condemned by public opinion, let's take stock.
Event: Award ceremony, strong kiss of female soccer player
On the evening of August 20, the Spanish women's football team won the Women's World Cup for the first time in history by defeating England women's football team 1-0 in the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup. However, at the post-match award ceremony, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales, committed extremely inappropriate behavior.
At the award ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Gianni Giannino was presenting awards to the Spanish women's footballers, and Rubiales also appeared on stage. He started out with a relatively normal demeanor, just hugging a few players. But when it was the turn of the Spanish women's international Hermoso, Rubiales not only hugged her tightly, but also suddenly picked her up and kissed Hermoso in public in a mouth-to-mouth manner!
In addition, while celebrating the victory of the Spanish women's football team, Rubiales also burst into the selfie of female footballer Carmona in public and kissed her on the cheek.
Hermoso received support, but Rubiales disagreed
For Rubiales's actions, Hermoso once said that "this is a gesture of mutual emotion, completely spontaneous", but also said that he did not like this behavior. Subsequently, she issued a public statement calling for an investigation into Rubiales to condemn violations of women's dignity and defend her rights.
However, Rubiales did not consider his actions wrong, "with a clear conscience", and also expressed "surprise" in Elmoso's statement. However, he privately pleaded with Hermoso to appear on camera to help him explain and carried out moral kidnapping: "Even for my daughter".
Hermoso has been widely supported by public opinion, all walks of life in Spain have asked Rubiales to step down, Spanish women's football international Bangmati and Putras, Spain men's international Roberto, France international Joan Armeni, Barça women's football, Xavi, Iniesta, Laporta, England women's football, American women's international Morgan and others, have expressed their support.
At the Spanish Football Confederation Extraordinary Congress, Rubiales continued to defend himself, claiming that he had said "kiss" to Hermoso, who agreed, and that he said five times that he "will not resign." The Spanish Football Federation also backed Rubiales, saying Hermoso was lying, but later deleted the statement.
As the impact of the incident expanded, even the UN Human Rights Office came forward to express its support for Hermoso, expressing its opposition to sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The 81 Spanish women's footballers eventually issued a joint statement saying they would not respond to the national team call if Rubiales did not resign.
Rubiales was suspended and announced his resignation
On August 26, FIFA officially announced the suspension of Rubiales for 90 days. And according to British media reports, FIFA is ready to impose a heavy penalty of 15 years of ban!
But Rubiales remains tough-mouthed, claiming to be a victim, and the media is glorifying false women's rights. His mother went on hunger strike to support her son.
On August 29, Spanish media reported that Spanish prosecutors had opened an investigation into Rubiales. The Spanish High Sports Court characterized the matter as "serious", not "very serious". However, the Spanish Football Association still publicly apologized, saying that his behavior was unacceptable, but it had nothing to do with the football association.
On September 6, La Vanguard said Hermoso had formally indicted Rubiales, and the Spanish prosecutor's office also indicted him on suspicion of sexual assault.
According to Serre Radio, UEFA president Ceferin put pressure on Rubiales: if he does not resign, it will affect Spain's joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
Finally, on September 11, Beijing time, after an interview with British celebrity Pierce Morgan, Rubiales issued an open letter announcing his resignation, but still considered himself innocent.