Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales might have expected he could just brush off kissing Women’s World Cup-winning player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy ceremony following the 1-0 victory over England on Sunday.
Some 24 hours later however, Rubiales had realised he could not just brazen out the controversy and criticism, as he has so often done during a five-year spell as Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president marked by numerous questionable situations.
The incident, which diverted much attention away from the players’ amazing, against-the odds achievement in Australia and New Zealand, came as Hermoso and her team-mates were receiving their medals from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Spain’s Queen Letizia on the podium in Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
As Hermoso passed further down the line of dignitaries and got to Rubiales, he first picked her up in his arms, then took her head in both hands, and planted a kiss full on her lips.
Intentado entender el beso de Rubiales a Jenni Hermoso. pic.twitter.com/6IiIPfT8cw
— Memphys Colina (@MemphysColina) August 20, 2023
Hermoso soon afterwards said that she had been surprised by the kiss and had no way to avoid it.
“Yeah (it happened), but I didn’t like it,” Hermoso replied, while watching a…
