In recent hours, there has been significant controversy over a kiss from Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, to Jennifer Hermoso, a player for Pachuca in Mexico and former Barcelona player. During the celebration of the Spanish women's national team's victory in the World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand last month, Rubiales kissed Hermoso.
As criticism intensified, Rubiales apologized for the incident, stating, "I certainly made a mistake and I acknowledge it, but it was not done with malice; my emotions got the better of me amid the joy of winning." Initially, Rubiales dismissed the questions regarding the incident as "foolish." He said, "The kiss with Jennifer? There are fools everywhere. When two people are connected by a moment of affection, it means nothing more than that, and we cannot listen to fools. We are the champions, and that is all."
Commenting on the apology, acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez noted that "Luis Rubiales' apology for kissing Jennifer Hermoso during the celebrations of Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup was not enough." He added in a press conference, "He needs to be more clear and convincing in his apology, and he must take further steps to clarify this unacceptable behavior."
Hermoso reportedly told her teammates in the locker room after the incident that she was not pleased with the situation. However, she later downplayed the matter in a statement sent by the local federation to the Spanish news agency, where she said, "It was a completely spontaneous gesture due to the great joy of winning the World Cup, and I have a strong relationship with the president. His behavior toward all of us deserves a 10 (out of 10); it was a natural response to affection and gratitude."
Since that moment, Rubiales has faced attacks from all sides, except for Javier Tebas, the president of the Spanish League and his long-time rival. Prominent officials, including ministers, have called for Rubiales to resign from his position. Tebas finally spoke out on Monday night, posting a cryptic tweet that appeared aimed at Rubiales. He shared a picture of a person submerged in water in the middle of a field, writing, "When it rains, it pours," referring to all the criticism directed at Rubiales.
