This Sunday, Spain defeated England (1-0) in the final to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup. visibly elated, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth. This gesture has sparked a major controversy in the Iberian country.
After the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, where Spain triumphed over England with a score of 1-0 this Sunday, a surprising moment captured attention. Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish federation, exchanged a kiss on the mouth with forward Jennifer Hermoso during the medal ceremony. This scene unfolded under the astonished gaze of the Pachuca player in Mexico and in proximity to Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Sofia.
In the intimacy of the locker room, Luis Rubiales expressed his generosity to the 23 world champion players by offering them a trip to Ibiza. However, he added an unexpected statement that is sure to make headlines: “In Ibiza, we will celebrate the wedding of Jenni and Luis Rubiales.” A gesture widely commented on in Spain since.
The “pico” (smack) on Jennifer Hermoso’s mouth is “an event revealing the rough side of the character” for Frédéric Hermel, who adds: “It’s surprising, but it’s not surprising when you know the character,” the Spanish football specialist estimated for RMC Sport. He doesn’t put people around him at ease. Every gesture is a subject of controversy in Spain, a country where women’s rights are taken seriously.”
Heavily criticized on social media platforms and in the global press, Luis Rubiales was strongly reprimanded on Monday by Miquel Iceta. The Spanish Minister of Culture and Sports requested clarifications from the Federation’s president, while urgently inviting him to apologize to Jennifer Hermoso for this act deemed “unacceptable.”
“This is the logical and reasonable thing to do. It is true that the moment that took place in Sydney was a very special moment, a moment of great emotion. But those of us who have public responsibilities must be extremely cautious, because we are sending a message to society, and the message is equality of rights and respect,” he says on RNE waves.
Jennifer Hermoso Downplays It Surprised by the federation president’s gesture, Jennifer Hermoso “didn’t like” the kiss, as she explained on her social media. The former Barcelona player then assured that it was “a gesture of friendship and gratitude” due to winning the World Cup.
“The president and I have an excellent relationship. His behavior towards all of us has been excellent, and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. We can’t redo a gesture of friendship and recognition. We won the World Cup, and we won’t deviate from what’s important,” she responded to the Spanish agency EFE.
