Women's World Cup: controversial forced kiss
The Spanish team's victory in the Women's World Cup has been overshadowed by a scandal after Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony. According to media reports, the federation also pressured Hermoso to make a statement downplaying the incident. This time the verdict of Spain's otherwise divided national press is unanimous.
He has tarnished the image of Spanish football
El Mundo is outraged:
“He understands neither the significance of the world champions' performance nor the responsibility that comes with his position. .... The deputy head of government, Yolanda Díaz, called for his resignation yesterday 'for having assaulted a woman' and asked the federation to keep a record of sexist acts in future. Rubiales has tarnished a celebration he was only supposed to attend at a secondary institutional level, letting the protagonists of the sports performance shine and applauding the social progress they exemplify: the glass ceiling they had just broken through at its highest point. Instead, he displayed a deplorable attitude that further discredits him and damages the image of what he represents: Spanish football.”
Please resign
As far as ABC is concerned there is only one course of action:
“Now we know that Rubiales pressured the player he offended to support his embarrassing attempt to apologise. And there is clear evidence that he made the association work for his own ends. Even the prime minister, with whom Rubiales had a very good relationship, said yesterday that his excuses were neither sufficient nor appropriate. The only way out is to resign. Being the highest authority of such a flagship sport, followed with passion by millions of adults and children, demands impeccable and exemplary behaviour.”
Hopefully the dream goal will be scored
Eldiario.es wonders why male professional footballers haven't said anything:
“Over the last few days we have heard indignant words and calls for resignation. ... But there are also sports journalists and fans who excuse Rubiales: they see nothing wrong with his behaviour, nothing reprehensible because they share the same macho culture. ... Add to this the deafening silence of the players and coaches in professional men's football, who seem to have nothing to say. ... If the pressure were to result in his resignation, that would be a phenomenal goal. ... And surely many young female athletes who have to put up with comments and attitudes like Rubiales' in schoolyards and on football pitches would celebrate this as much as the World Cup.”