Is the President of the Spanish Football Federation a Victim of ‘False Feminism’?
Social media has been buzzing with controversy after Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, refused to resign amidst allegations of misconduct. Rubiales is facing conviction for kissing a player without her consent during post-match celebrations after Spain’s victory in the World Cup feminine. In a defiant speech, Rubiales claimed to be the victim of ‘false feminism,’ sparking outrage among politicians and players alike.
Spanish Football Federation President Defiant Despite Outrage
The incident in question happened when Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips as players marched past him before lifting the trophy. Although Spanish media had initially reported that Rubiales would resign as a result, he made it clear in his speech that he had no intentions of stepping down. Rubiales repeated ‘I won’t quit’ four times, emphasizing his defiance in the face of mounting calls for his resignation.
The controversy surrounding Rubiales’ actions has shed light on the treatment of women in Spanish society, as well as in the world of football. While women’s football has gained more attention in recent years, it remains marginalized as male-dominated authorities continue to prioritize male sports.
Spanish Football Federation President Claims ‘False Feminism’
In his speech, Rubiales defended his actions, describing the kiss as “spontaneous, mutual, and euphoric.” He accused his critics of promoting ‘false feminism’ and labeled it as a great scourge in the country. Rubiales argued that the social backlash he faced was a form of “social assassination,” further fueling the controversy surrounding his conduct.
Despite his refusal to resign, Rubiales did apologize for a separate incident involving the Spanish Royal Family. He expressed regret for an inappropriate gesture he made by grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the director’s box during the match, where he stood next to Queen Letizia and one of her daughters.
Political Figures Call for Action
Politicians, including acting deputy prime minister Yolanda Díaz, have called for immediate action in response to Rubiales’ speech. Díaz considered his statements ‘unacceptable’ and demanded urgent intervention by the government. She stressed that impunity for macho behavior is no longer acceptable, leaving Rubiales’ position in question.
Spain’s acting equality minister, Irene Montero, expressed her outrage at the forced kiss, describing it as ‘sexual violence.’ She emphasized the importance of consent and asserted that the incident demonstrated a violation of the right to sexual freedom.
Backlash from Players and Sports Officials
Rubiales’ actions have not only received condemnation from politicians but also from footballers and sports officials. Jenni Hermoso’s teammate, Isco Alarcón, expressed his support for her and criticized Rubiales, stating that if the kiss wasn’t consensual, it constituted an abuse of power.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation president has faced disciplinary proceedings from FIFA as a result of his actions. However, Rubiales remains steadfast in his stance, refusing to resign and expressing his belief that the accusations against him are unfounded.
Spanish Women’s Soccer League Files Complaint
The Liga F, the women’s soccer league in Spain, has lodged a complaint with the national sports council against Rubiales’ actions. They seek justice and hope to ensure such incidents are not overlooked or tolerated in the future. The complaint reflects the growing demand for accountability and equality in the world of women’s football.
The Treatment of Women in Spanish Society and Football
This controversy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in Spanish society and the world of football. While women’s football has made significant strides in recent years, it continues to struggle for recognition and resources compared to its male counterpart. The incident involving Rubiales highlights the need for a greater focus on consent, respect, and equality within the sport.
Women’s football has proven itself time and again, with Spain’s victory in the World Cup making them one of only two nations, along with Germany, to have won both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Despite their success, women’s football is often overshadowed and undervalued, leading to continued marginalization and disparities within the sport.
Provoking a Violent Reaction: FIFA President’s Controversial Statement
Before the final match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a statement that provoked a strong reaction. He suggested that women should ‘pick the right battles’ to convince men about achieving equality in the game. This statement drew widespread criticism and further ignited the ongoing conversation about gender inequality in football.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, has sparked a larger debate about the treatment of women in Spanish society and women’s football. Rubiales’ refusal to resign and his claims of ‘false feminism’ have garnered outrage from politicians, footballers, and sports officials.
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by women in Spanish society and the sports industry, where women’s football continues to be marginalized. It highlights the importance of consent, respect, and equality within the sport and calls for greater accountability and support for women’s football.
Receive free updates on Spanish politics
We will send you a myFT Daily Summary email summarizing the latest Spanish politics news every morning.
Megan Rapinoe’s Perspective on the Controversy
Megan Rapinoe, a prominent figure in women’s football and a key player in Team USA’s World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, has also spoken out about the controversy. She expressed her disbelief at the situation, questioning the kind of world we live in where a player like Jenni Hermoso can be physically assaulted by the president of a football federation, especially on such a momentous occasion.
Rapinoe’s remarks draw attention to the significance of consent and respect, advocating for the equal treatment of female athletes on and off the field.
Spanish Women’s Football Triumph Despite Internal Struggles
Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup solidifies their place alongside Germany as one of the few nations to have won both the men’s and women’s tournaments. However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by the team, including a mutiny against coach Jorge Vilda in the past.
Despite their internal struggles, Spain’s success highlights the immense talent and resilience of their female footballers. As the women’s game continues to gain recognition and support, it is crucial to address the systemic issues that have historically marginalized women’s football.
Expanding Gender Equality in Football
Luis Rubiales’ controversial actions and subsequent refusal to step down bring into focus the urgent need for gender equality in football. It is not enough to celebrate women’s achievements only on the pitch; equal treatment and opportunities must be extended to all areas of the sport. The incident underscores the larger issue of pervasive macho behavior and the importance of dismantling its presence within the sport.
Organizations, such as the Liga F, have taken a stand by lodging a complaint against Rubiales’ actions. This proactive approach helps promote accountability and creates space for important conversations about consent, respect, and gender equality. It is essential that these conversations lead to tangible changes within the football community.
Conclusion
Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, has ignited a storm of controversy with his refusal to resign and claims of ‘false feminism.’ The incident involving the forced kiss has uncovered deeper issues regarding the treatment of women in Spanish society and women’s football.
This controversy highlights the urgent need for consent, respect, and gender equality both on and off the field. Organizations and individuals must work together to create a culture that celebrates and supports women’s football, while also holding accountable those who perpetuate harmful behavior. By doing so, we can hope to see a more inclusive and equal future for the sport.
Summary: The controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, has brought attention to the treatment of women in Spanish society and women’s football. Rubiales’ refusal to resign and his claims of ‘false feminism’ have sparked outrage among politicians, footballers, and sports officials. The incident underscores the need for greater focus on consent, respect, and gender equality within the sport. The Liga F has lodged a complaint against Rubiales’ actions, emphasizing the importance of accountability and promoting change in the football community.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
Receive free updates on Spanish politics
We will send you a myFT Daily Summary email summarizing the latest spanish politics news every morning.
The president of the Spanish Football Federation has refused to resign and says he is the victim of ‘false feminism’ as he faces conviction for kissing a player without her consent after the country won the World Cup feminine.
Luis Rubiales repeated ‘I won’t quit’ four times in a defiant speech at the end of a week of outrage after kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during post-match celebrations.
But politicians are still calling for him to be sent off over the forced kiss, which came as players marched past him before lifting the trophy after beating England in Sunday’s final in Australia. Spanish media had announced that he would resign on Friday.
The episode shed light on the treatment of women in Spanish society and in world football, where women’s football has gained more attention in recent years but remains marginalized as male-dominated authorities prioritize the male sports.
In Sydney’s locker room shortly after the incident, Hermoso was videotaped saying, “I didn’t like it. . . But what could I do? She later said in a statement from her union and her agent that “we are working to ensure that such acts never go unpunished.”
Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has faced an avalanche of condemnations from politicians, footballers and sports officials. Spanish media reported that he planned to quit on Friday after football’s governing body Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against him.
But speaking at an extraordinary meeting of the football federation, Rubiales said: “False feminism is a great scourge in this country. Calling the kiss “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric”, he claimed to have become the target of “social assassination”.
He did, however, apologize to the Spanish Royal Family for grabbing his crotch as he celebrated in the director’s box during the match, where he stood next to Queen Letizia and one of Her daughters.
But his speech does not mark the end of the controversy. Yolanda Díaz, acting deputy prime minister who had prematurely welcomed reports of his impending resignation, called his speech “unacceptable”.
“The government must act and take urgent action,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Impunity for macho behavior is over. Rubiales cannot remain in office.
Earlier in the week, Irene Montero, Spain’s acting equality minister, called the forced kiss “sexual violence”. Later, she said the incident was “an extraordinary example. . . of how the right to sexual freedom is violated by the absence of consent”.
SpainSpain’s women’s soccer league, Liga F, said it had lodged a complaint against Rubiales’ actions with the national sports council, a government body.
One of the first male players to speak out, Real Betis’ Isco Alarcón, said: “If it wasn’t consensual, I think it’s an abuse of power. I give my full support to Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales, who has led the Spanish FA since 2018, initially called his critics “idiots” but later apologized. “I was wrong, I have to admit,” he said earlier in the week.
Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s interim prime minister, said the apology was “insufficient” and that he should “take further steps to clarify his behavior”.
Megan Rapinoe, one of the stars of USA’s World Cup winning teams in 2015 and 2019, said: “What kind of upside down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be partying, Jenni must be physically assaulted by this guy,” Rapinoe said.
Spain’s victory made them one of only two nations, along with Germany, to have won the men’s and women’s World Cup. La Roja’s victory came despite a team mutiny against coach Jorge Vilda last year over his managerial methods.
Before the final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino provoked a violent reaction when he said women should “pick the right battles” to “convince us men of what we need to do” to achieve equality in the game.
—————————————————-