Luis Rubiales, the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, finds himself entangled in controversy due to his inappropriate conduct towards Jenni Hermoso, a Spanish striker of the Women’s National Team.
The incident transpired during the presentation ceremony where the victorious Spain Women’s team was being honored with their golden medals following their triumph in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, achieved by prevailing over England in the final.
As the members of the Spanish team proceeded to receive their medals, their paths crossed with Luis Rubiales. When Jenni Hermoso approached him, Rubiales embraced her with notable force, momentarily lifting her off her feet. Subsequently, he exchanged a brief conversation with the player and, in a gesture that raised eyebrows, drew her in for a kiss on the lips while placing his hands on the back of her head.
🚨💣 A scandal explodes in Spain because the president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed Jenni Hermoso, striker of Spain. [@RMCsport] pic.twitter.com/zdKBBxyRXR
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) August 20, 2023
The incident’s video footage rapidly disseminated across social media platforms, fueling discussions around Rubiales’s behavior.
Amidst speculations about cultural norms, Jenni Hermoso’s subsequent interview with Spain’s TV station La 1 dispelled ambiguity. Her demeanor during the interview suggested embarrassment and unease regarding the subject. In response to the question, she responded hesitantly, “Eh…yeah, I did not enjoy that.”
Jenni Hermoso, aged 33, has etched her name as a prominent figure in women’s sports, boasting an illustrious career spanning a decade with successful tenures at both Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona. Rubiales’ celebration of Spain’s opener also drew criticism as he celebrated in an obscene manner.
Además de darle un beso en la boca no consentido a la futbolista Jenni Hermoso mientras le agarraba la cabeza —un acto que puede constituir la comisión de un delito—, Rubiales también celebró la victoria de la selección agarrándose los testículos junto a la reina y la infanta. https://t.co/c5NBU4OTrH pic.twitter.com/QdVIpbHgzt
— Pablo Echenique (@PabloEchenique) August 20, 2023
Since the commencement of the World Cup, Luis Rubiales has been accompanying the Spanish national team on their journey from New Zealand to Australia, beginning with their World Cup debut against Costa Rica. The repercussions for Rubiales stemming from this discomforting episode are eagerly anticipated.
Olga Carmona secured the sole goal of the final, while Jennifer Hermoso missed a second-half penalty, expertly thwarted by Mary Earps, without influencing the ultimate outcome.
Past Controversies of Luis Rubiales
Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has encountered previous instances of embarrassing situations. In 2022, he found himself compelled to mount a defense against allegations of corruption, allegedly in collaboration with Gerard Piqué.
In the same year, he faced scrutiny from the anti-corruption department for his involvement in hosting private parties at a chalet located in the Granada region.
El Mundo, a Spanish publication, reported that Rubiales utilized Federation funds to finance these gatherings. Under the guise of work-related events, “8-10 young girls” would attend these parties at the chalet, attended by the closest members of his team.
Rubiales’s position became precarious during the prior season, marked by a heated dispute with Real Madrid. The club accused him of inaction in addressing racist incidents targeting Vinicius Jr. during specific La Liga matches. According to Real Madrid, his failure to implement measures to curtail such events tarnished the image of Spanish football on the global stage.
Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales says that Spain has a “serious problem” with racism after Vinícius Júnior was subject to racist abuse during Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Valencia. pic.twitter.com/VZ0M7bx5TP
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 22, 2023
Since 2022, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has remained embroiled in controversy, marked by growing concerns over its leadership. This recent incident adds another layer of scrutiny to Rubiales’s leadership and management.