On July 10th, Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), stepped down from his position following an unwanted kiss at the Women’s World Cup Final. The incident occurred when Rubiales went to congratulate the Spanish team after their victory in the final. As he was giving a speech, he leaned in to kiss one of the players on the cheek, but she turned away and the kiss landed on her lips instead.
The incident sparked outrage in Spain and around the world, with many people calling for Rubiales to resign. The player involved, Jennifer Hermoso, said she felt “uncomfortable” and “violated” by the unwanted kiss. Rubiales apologized for his actions, saying he was “overcome by emotion” and had not intended to cause any offense.
Rubiales announced his resignation on July 10th, saying that he wanted to “avoid any distraction” from the team’s success. He also said that he wanted to “set an example of respect for women”. His resignation was accepted by the RFEF, who thanked him for his service and wished him well in his future endeavors.
The incident has highlighted the need for greater respect for women in sport. It is clear that there is still a long way to go before women are treated as equals in the world of sport. Rubiales’ resignation is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning of a much larger conversation about respect and equality in sport.
It is important that we all take a stand against any form of discrimination or disrespect towards women in sport. We must ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their gender. Only then can we create a more equal and inclusive sporting environment for everyone.
