Megan Rapinoe Exposes Shocking Misogyny: Spanish FA President's Jenni Hermoso Kiss Sparks Outrage
Spanish FA president's kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup final trophy podium sparks controversy and calls for resignation; Megan Rapinoe criticizes the incident, highlighting misogyny and sexism within the organization Spain's reaction to the incident examined
Megan Rapinoe criticized Spain's football federation president Luis Rubiales for his behavior towards Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final on Sunday. According to Rapinoe, Rubiales' actions highlight the presence of misogyny and sexism within the organization. Rubiales apologized on Monday for kissing Spain midfielder Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony, a gesture that Rapinoe referred to as a "physical assault." Additionally, Rubiales was photographed celebrating his country's victory over England in Sydney by grabbing his crotch.
Calls for his resignation continue, as Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez deems the apology as "inadequate".
In response, the Spanish federation (RFEF) declared an extraordinary meeting of its general assembly scheduled for Friday. Additionally, "internal proceedings" regarding integrity matters stemming from the trophy ceremony have commenced.
Rapinoe, who represented the United States in the World Cup, expressed her thoughts to The Atlantic magazine, highlighting another instance that revealed a disturbing level of misogyny and sexism within both the federation and Rubiales, the man involved, as he made an inappropriate gesture by grabbing his crotch at the end of the match. She questioned the state of our society, wondering how we could find ourselves in a situation where, instead of celebrating, Jenni had to endure physical assault from this individual.
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Rubiales has held the position of RFEF president since May 2018.
Before the finals, a dispute arose between the federation and fifteen Spanish players, who expressed concerns regarding Jorge Vilda's coaching methods.
The RFEF, however, stood firm in their decision. In a statement, they expressed that those implicated would only be permitted to rejoin the national team "once they acknowledge their error and seek forgiveness."
Reflecting on the situation, Rapinoe remarked on the tremendous burden borne by the Spanish team, noting that some players who took a stand last year are still absent from the roster.
"The incident might have been a catalyst for their actions, but it should not have been necessary."
Rubiales stated on Monday that the kiss occurred "spontaneously" and "without malicious intent," but acknowledged that it "appears to have stirred up a commotion."
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Megan Rapinoe represented the United States in the Women's World Cup. Initially, Hermoso expressed her disapproval of the kiss on social media, but a statement released by the RFEF on her behalf later described it as a "spontaneous" act.
FIFA and UEFA have yet to comment on the issue. Rubiales, who serves as an executive committee member and vice-president of UEFA, has received criticism from the world players' union FIFPRO. They described his behavior as "deeply lamentable" and emphasized that uninvited physical gestures towards players are inappropriate and unacceptable in any context.
How Spain reacted to the incident
When players are put in a position of vulnerability, especially when a person in a position of power initiates a physical approach or gesture, it becomes particularly problematic.In Spain, the acting minister for sports and culture, Miquel Iceta, expressed his disapproval on public broadcaster RNE, stating that it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips as a way to congratulate her.
Spanish government equality minister Irene Montero expressed a more intense response, stating that the substandard treatment of women is a type of sexual violence they endure consistently, yet has previously remained unnoticed. Ms. Montero conveyed her message on Sunday via X, the renamed social media platform formerly recognized as Twitter.
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Semra Hunter, a Spanish football expert, spoke to We News and shared that the reaction in Spain to the incident was divided. Some individuals believed that it was not significant and that both parties were simply carried away in the moment, defending Jorge Vilda.
"But there are others who have questioned his actions and intentions, deeming them highly inappropriate.
"She attempted to minimize the situation when speaking to the media, claiming they have a strong bond, he has been supportive of the female athletes during the entire competition, his conduct has been impeccable, and there is no further cause for concern."
However, her social media post indicated her discontent with it. This leaves us unsure of her true sentiments. If she genuinely feels uneasy, we must delve deeper into the underlying issue to understand why she struggles to express her concerns openly.
The reactions regarding this matter have been completely polarized, with some individuals downplaying its significance, while others are appalled by what they witnessed and demanding the resignation of the Spanish FA president.
