Even before Luis Rubiales had planted a kiss on Jenni Hermoso’s lips during Spain’s World Cup celebration, other officials in the stadium were so struck by his behaviour that they were sending around videos. One, confidentially sent to The Independent, shows the president of the Spanish football federation appearing to grab his crotch in triumph. The gesture, which goes back to Ancient Rome, is generally taken to mean “I’m the man”.
It is certainly an aggressively masculine gesture, making it all the more out of place at a women’s football tournament that is defined by its inclusivity. It feeds into one of many growing arguments in Spain, that Rubiales did not know how to comport himself at such an event, raising further questions over his suitability to oversee the federation. That the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter were close to him has only added to that.
There is still the sense that Rubiales doesn’t really know what he did wrong in the kiss on Hermoso. If a widely criticised non-apology was not indicative enough, there were his litany of comments before it.
Rubiales had described those who took issue with his “public show of affection” as “idiots”, “stupid”, “fools” and “losers” before summing it all up as “bulls**t”. His subsequent apology then pretty much amounted to being sorry if anyone was offended.
That happens to amount to a lot of people, who are queuing up to condemn the Spanish official in a controversy that is nowhere near quietening down.
Miquel Iceta, the minister for culture and sport in Spain, described it as “unacceptable”. Yolanda Diaz, the second deputy prime minister of Spain, has said Rubiales should resign because “a woman has been harassed and assaulted”. Irene Montero, the minister for equality, went furthest and described it as a “form of sexual violence”.
Such words are beginning to change the view of some in Spanish football that as usual, nothing will happen.
The situation has now gone beyond pressure growing. While the kiss is obviously sufficient for such a controversy on its own, it comes amid a wider context that goes beyond Rubiales’ backing of manager Jorge Vilda despite player complaints that included not being allowed to lock doors of their hotel rooms on international duty until 2019.
Sources within Spanish football were using words like “embarrassment” and “a disgrace that people like this represent our game”.
Newspaper El Pais meanwhile ran an editorial lamenting how a moment of glory for Spain’s women’s footballers, who were enjoying the praise of the whole planet, was overshadowed by the behaviour of a man.
Rubiales has previously caused such ructions in the game, however, that other figures were all too willing to privately Whatsapp other headlines.
Among them was the story: “The ex-boss of Rubiales’ cabinet says he paid for orgies with federation money,” in relation to private parties reportedly organised. Rubiales denies it.
Another read: “Luis Rubiales acquitted of the accusation of assault of the architect who renovated his house,” in a case that also saw him accused of using money from the player’s union – of which he was president – to pay for the work.
And then: “Rubiales deal with [Gerard] Pique for a €24m pitch to bring the Super Cup to Saudi Arabia – ‘you are left with six kilos’”, after a series of leaks showed some controversial deals with the former Spanish defender.
Up to all of this, however, he had probably been best known outside Spain for the bombshell decision to sack men’s manager Julen Lopetegui two days before the 2018 World Cup, a call that sent the Spanish team into a tailspin last-16 exit. It’s one of those historical quirks that the situation almost represents the inverse of that with Vilda, whom he has stood by.
Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on Jenni Hermoso overshadowed the Spanish celebrations
In the case of Lopetegui, Rubiales felt he had no choice because the manager had disrespected the federation by agreeing to take a job with Real Madrid after that World Cup without informing them. With Vilda, Rubiales felt Spain’s rebel players – some of whom boycotted the Women’s World Cup – had disrespected both the manager and the federation, so backed the manager adamantly. It was repeatedly pointed out that he and Vilda have a strong relationship and Vilda’s father, Jorge, is currently head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)’s women’s football department.
Either way, compromise was never much of a consideration in either situation, although the latter did force changes to women’s team preparation standards and facilities. Some of the victorious players remain aggrieved they even had to ask and Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas made a noteworthy comment in the moment of victory.
“You’ve seen that the minute women’s footballers believe a little and are provided with basic facilities, everything comes out better.”
Rubiales’ defenders – and there are more than a few – would say this shows an evolution.
Rubiales appeared to grab his crotch during the victory celebrations
