FIFA will launch an investigation into the kissing incident that took place after the World Cup final between England and Spain (0-1). The World Football Association announced this in an official statement. “The Disciplinary Commission has informed Luis Rubiales that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him based on the events that took place during the final of the Women’s World Cup on August 20, 2023,” the statement read.
Rubiales was on the podium during the medal ceremony after the final with, among others, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Queen Letizia of Spain and the Prime Minister of the host country Australia, Anthony Albanese. Television footage showed that as Hermoso walked past Rubiales, he first hugged her tightly, then held her head and kissed her mouth. Rubiales then slapped Hermoso on the back as she walked away. Hermoso later announced on Instagram Live that she did not like the kiss. “But what should I do about it?”
Half a week after the event, Hermoso now comes with an official statement through her union FUTPRO, an organization that, like Futbolistas ON, stands up for female football players in Spain. “My union FUTPRO, in cooperation with my agent agency TMJ, ensures that my interests are defended. They are the interlocutors in this matter. From FUTPRO we express our strong and clear condemnation of behavior that violates the dignity of women. From our union we ask the RFEF to implement the necessary protocols, safeguard the rights of our players and take action.”
“It is essential that our national team, the current world champion, is always represented by individuals who exude values of equality and respect in all areas,” continued Hermoso. “It is necessary to continue to make progress in the fight for equality, a fight that our female players have fought with determination and brought us to the position we are in today. We also appeal to the Consejo Superior de Deportes (the body that defends athletes’ rights, ed.) to support us and to act actively against sexual harassment or abuse, macho behavior and sexism, within its powers.”
Rubiales stated again after the commotion that he is proud of the women’s team. “But there is also something I regret. Namely what happened between me and a player. I have an excellent relationship with her (Hermoso, ed.), just like with the others. What I did was wrong, I admit that It happened in a moment of great exuberance, with no bad intentions. Anyway, it happened. It was spontaneous, with no bad intentions on either side. I have to apologize, there is no escaping it. And I have to learn from it and understand that as the president of such an important institution as the RFEF you have to be more careful, especially at ceremonies and things like this.”