Football World Cup: “Kiss Gate” after the final causes heavy criticism

The pictures after the final in Sydney showed the great rejoicing of the new soccer world champions, who celebrated their title dancing with the golden trophy. Then Rubiales congratulated Hermoso, who was twelve years younger, hugged her warmly and kissed her twice on the cheek before he grabbed her head with both hands and kissed her on the mouth.

form of sexual violence

The public reaction was unequivocal. “It is a form of sexual violence that we women suffer on a daily basis and which has so far been invisible and which we must not normalize,” wrote Spain’s Minister for Gender Equality, Irene Montero, on X, formerly Twitter. This is a task for society as a whole. “The focus is on approval. Only a yes is a yes,” the 35-year-old clarified. Spain’s culture and sports minister, Miquel Iceta, followed suit. He described the behavior of the head of the association as “unacceptable” and demanded that Rubiales “first of all make statements and apologize”.

He also made a statement. “Idiots are everywhere. When two people share a moment of affection that doesn’t mean more than that, you can’t pay attention to the idiocy,” Rubiales told Radio Marca. Hours later, in a video released by the association, he was much more moderate: “There is one thing I regret, and that is what happened between me and a player who I have a great relationship with. I probably have one there Made fault.” In a first reaction shortly after the award ceremony, Hermoso said on a video from the dressing room: “I didn’t like that.” She wouldn’t have known how to react.

Other players also kissed Rubiales on the cheek, as seen in pictures posted on social media. The Spanish football association RFEF then tried to downplay the scenes as much as possible. “It was a very spontaneous mutual gesture because of the great joy of winning a World Cup,” Hermoso said in a statement. In it, the 33-year-old forward for Mexican club Pachuca added: “The president and I have a great relationship. His behavior towards all of us was excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”

Spain’s political and media landscape sees it differently. “We all think: If they are doing this in front of the whole of Spain, what are they not going to do in private? Sexual violence against women must end,” commented Ione Belarra, Minister for Social Rights. The daily newspaper “El Pais” wrote of an “invasion of privacy, an aggression”.

Jorge Vilda’s boob grabbing video for real?

Alleged abuse of power in the national team had led 15 national team players to temporarily resign last year. Only three came back afterwards, the criticized team boss Jorge vilda remained in office and looked after Spain at the World Cup. Rubiales had vilda backed publicly. The relationship between the coach and the team is reportedly still not trouble-free. After winning the title in Australia, the players celebrated for a long time without the coaching staff.

A video has appeared on the internet showing the Spanish coach with his assistant coach. In any case, you can see how the 42-year-old – presumably while hugging his support staff – grabs his assistant trainer Montserrat Tomé on the breast.