Aug. 20 was the finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The historic final between Spain and England ended with Spain winning 1-0. Despite what should have been a joyous moment, as it was the women’s soccer team of Spain’s first time winning, it was quickly overshadowed by Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent.
Hermoso stated that the incident made her feel “vulnerable” and a “victim of aggression” and that the incident itself was an “impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part.” Hermoso filed a suit on Tuesday, Sept. 5 for the unwanted kiss, and Spain’s national prosecutor has filed their own suit on the suspended president for the “sexual assault and coercion of Jenni Hermoso.”
Rubiales has since been suspended but continues to insist that the kiss was consensual. In the beginning he refused to resign, blaming “fake feminism” for the situation. But he finally resigned Sept. 10, nearly a month later.
Originally, it appeared as though Spain’s women’s soccer coach (Jorge Vilda) was supportive, but he was later shown to be clapping in support of one of Rubiale’s speeches regarding the incident. Prior to this, 15 of Spain’s players refused to play for him, calling him “controlling” and “overbearing.” He has since been fired and said, “I have given 100 percent over 17 years and I do not understand [the decision]. I did not deserve my sacking,”
The ordeal has divided Spain. Many have come out in support of Hermoso and hailed her for her bravery, with Spain’s men’s soccer team coming out themselves in support of her two weeks after the incident. But many have also condemned her and come out in support of Rubiales. Most notably the staunchly right Vox party stated that Rubiales’s case was a “witch hunt.”
All 23 members of the Spain women’s soccer team said that they would not play until the management and federation made changes. After Rubials’s defiant speech where he refused to apologize, player Vero Boquete said, “That speech opened the wound for all of us,” While this incident overshadowed the team’s World Cup win, players have said they are thankful that it is finally highlighting problems that their team has had for years. Before this incident, complaints of sexism and a lack of investment in the team were prevalent but largely ignored. The team has since said that the World Cup win that started this whole situation will still be considered part of the vital battle for equality.
