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Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Association (FA) president, has come under fire for an incident involving a kiss he shared with midfielder Jenni Hermoso.
The controversial moment they occurred during Spain's celebratory ceremony after their victory over England, securing the Women's World Cup title through Olga Carmona's decisive goal.
Following the win, Hermoso ascended the podium to receive her medal from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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Rubiales approached her, warmly embraced her as she stood there, and lifted her off the ground. After some brief pleasantries, he drew her closer and kissed her on the lips.
This gesture did not go unnoticed, capturing the attention of media and fans alike, many of whom criticized Rubiales for his actions, deeming them inappropriate.
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Addressing the matter, Hermoso took to Instagram to share her perspective in a video. She candidly expressed her discomfort with the incident, stating, "Hey, I didn't like it, eh," during an Instagram live session.
Spanish journalist Irati Vida shared a snippet of her response on X, previously known as Twitter.
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In response to the growing criticism, Rubiales defended his actions, brushing off the backlash.
He dismissed the adverse reactions as "idiocy" and argued that the moment was simply a display of genuine affection between two people.
Rubiales further emphasized the significance of their championship victory and the camaraderie that comes with it.
"The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots all over," Rubiales stated defiantly. "When two people have a moment of affection without any importance, we can't listen to idiocy. We're champions, and I stay with that," he asserted during an interview with Radio Marca.
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The incident has sparked a conversation about personal boundaries and appropriate behaviour in professional settings, highlighting the importance of respecting individuals' personal space and consent, even in moments of celebration.
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