(CNN) — US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticized Luis Rubiales’ behavior after Spain’s World Cup victory on Sunday.
Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, gave an unwanted kiss to Spanish star Jennifer Hermoso on the lips, after the 33-year-old won the gold medal following the team’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final. .
“It made me think about how much we have to put up with,” Rapinoe told The Atlantic when asked about the kiss and the issues surrounding La Roja’s squad ahead of the tournament. “Think of all the Spanish team had to put up with: some players who showed great performances last year [para protestar contra los malos tratos] They’re not on the team yet.”
In September 2022, 15 players from Spain’s senior women’s national team sent personally signed letters to the Spanish Football Federation via email announcing that they would no longer play for the national team, unless there were fundamental changes to the coaching staff, as reported by Cadena Ser.
However, the Spanish Football Federation backed coach Jorge Vilda, and all but three of the 15 players who sent letters were absent from Spain’s triumphant World Cup run.
“Maybe that was the thing that drove them [a ganar la final]Rapinoe, who also told The Atlantic, added that Rubiales’ actions after Spain’s World Cup victory showed the “deep level of misogyny and sexism” of the RFEF and Rubiales himself.
The Spanish Football Federation did not respond to CNN’s request for comment at the time of publication.
A video clip sparked outrage about Rubiales embracing Hermoso and placing his hands on her head before kissing her. Then he pats her back as she walks away.
What a backward world we live in? On the biggest stage, that’s where you should be partying, Jenny [Hermoso] “He is being physically assaulted by this man,” Rapinoe said.
Hermoso receives a kiss from Rubiales after the World Cup Final. Credit: Noe Lamas/Ciba USA/AP
Rapinoe’s comments come amid mounting pressure on Rubiales.
On Tuesday, a day after Rubiales apologized and admitted that he “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso, the head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sanchez, said that Rubiales’ apology was “not enough”.
“It is true that there were some behaviours, in this case of Mr. Rubiales, that if it shows something, it is that in our country there is still a long way to go in terms of equality and respect and in equal rights. Rights between women and men,” Sanchez said.
“The apologies made by Mr. Rubiales are not enough. In fact, I believe they are not enough, therefore, Mr. Rubiales must continue to take the necessary steps to clarify what we all saw.”
Rubiales is pictured with Spain’s Aitana Bonmati on the catwalk. Credit: Alessandra Tarantino/AP
The head of the Spanish government’s High Council for Sports (CSD) also ruled on the incident and confirmed that he would take action against Rubiales if the Spanish Football Federation did not do so.
On Tuesday, the Spanish Football Federation called for an extraordinary general assembly, scheduled for Friday, to deal with the consequences of Rubiales’ unwanted kiss to Hermoso.
In statements to the “El Larguero” program on Cadena SER, the President of the Commission for Sustainable Development, Victor Francos, confirmed that the Council is ready to intervene after receiving three formal complaints about Rubiales’ actions.
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