Spain’s government and FIFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales for his non-consensual kiss of player Jenni Hermoso at the tournament final. Rubiales is refusing to resign.
Many expected Friday to be the day that Luis Rubiales, the head of Spain’s soccer federation, would tender his resignation. That’s not what happened — and by the end of the day members of the national women’s soccer team vowed not to play as long as Rubiales and other leaders remain in power.
At an emergency meeting of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales made a speech in which he claimed that the kiss he planted on the mouth of player Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final was consensual and mutual, and claimed that he was the victim of « false feminists. »
Rubiales said he will not resign — repeating that statement five times, to some applause from the audience of mostly men. Among those seen clapping were the coach of the women’s team Jorge Vilda and men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente.
