We are now two weeks on from the shocking events of the Women’s World Cup final, when Spanish Football Association (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales planted a kiss on the lips of Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England.
Rubiales also made inappropriate physical contact with other members of both the Spain and England teams, and grabbed his crotch while celebrating in the stands next to the Queen of Spain and her daughter.
Rubiales first called those who criticised this behaviour “dickheads” and “losers”, while the RFEF released a statement claiming that Hermoso herself had given consent to the kiss and was OK with everything that happened. Hermoso said the statement was false and was not issued with her authority.
Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez and many others have called on Rubiales to resign, but his only official sanction has been a 90-day suspension from football activities issued by FIFA the day after he said he would not be stepping down.
Although Rubiales ally Jorge Vilda has been removed as women’s national team coach by interim RFEF president Pedro Rocha, Hermoso and 80 of her colleagues are not willing to play for Spain until there are deeper changes at the federation.
Here, The Athletic speaks to three expert observers who share…
