The fallout from the post-match unsolicited kiss of President Luis Rubiales of the Spanish Football Federation continued on Tuesday when a government official asked for his resignation.
Yolada Díaz, Spain’s second deputy prime minister and minister of labor and social economy, called Rubiales’ actions after the women’s team won the 2023 World Cup “an intolerable example of the machismo that women continue to endure.” in a social media post Monday.
“Our champions are an example of equality and future. But there is still a lot to do,” says Díaz wrote in Spanish. “Promoting equal pay in football and ending these abuses are essential.”
She added that what Rubiales did violated the federation’s policy on sexual assault and called for those rules to be enforced.
“His apologies are useless,” Díaz said. “What we ask is that the sports law is applied and that the protocols of the sports federation are activated. This person must resign.”
Rubiales visibly kissed Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips as she and the rest of her team received medals for their victory over England in the World Cup final on Sunday. Hermoso said later she “didn’t like that” and outrage erupted during the celebration.
The Spanish Football Federation subsequently released a statement It said it belonged to Hermoso and claimed that Rubiales’ action was “an entirely spontaneous and mutual gesture.”
On Monday, Rubiales publicly apologized for his actions, after initially calling those upset “idiots.”
“I definitely made a mistake,” said Rubiales. “I have to accept it. In a moment of such emotion, without any ill intent or bad faith, what happened happened, in a very spontaneous way, without bad faith on either side.”
Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, also commented on Rubiales. He called the kiss an “unacceptable gesture” and “apologies have not been enough.”
FIFA, the world governing body of the football world, has still not commented on the situation.
That night alone saw other controversial actions by Rubiales. He grabbed his crotch after the final whistle and in the locker room after the match told players he would marry Hermoso. Rubiales also became embroiled in a coaching scandal in 2022 that ended with the sacking of 15 players from the team.
But for now, Rubiales remains responsible for Spanish football.
