‘Not OK’: Outrage over ‘horrific’ unsolicited World Cup kiss

One official’s kissing act during Spain’s World Cup celebrations has overshadowed the team’s triumph, sparking anger across the world.

The kiss in question. Photo: Fox Sports.

Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso says she “didn’t like it” when Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed her during the team’s wild World Cup celebrations on Sunday night.

Vision of Rubiales grabbing the back of Hermoso’s head and kissing her on the lips during the post-match trophy ceremonies has sparked outrage.

He was also seen lifting the 33-year-old off her feet during a bear hug.

Rubiales was criticised on social media for his celebration with Hermoso during the medal presentations after Spain beat England 1-0 to lift the trophy for the first time.

Hermoso has played down the gesture, but has also spoken of her discomfort.

The kiss in question. Photo: Fox Sports.

“I didn’t like it,” she said on an Instagram live stream after the game, although she was smiling as she spoke.

Later Hermoso said the moment was a “natural gesture of affection”.

“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” said Hermoso, in comments passed to AFP by the Spanish federation.

“The president and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.

“A gesture of friendship and gratitude cannot be gone over so much, we have won a World Cup and we are not going to deviate from what is important.”

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Socceroos great Craig Foster has called for Rubiales to be stood down over the kiss.

“Women in sport are daily subject to an extreme power differential, objectification, harassment, sexual abuse and an absence of agency and power,” Foster tweeted.

“This is horrific. He should be stood down immediately by FIFA and the Spanish FA.”

It looks bad from every angle. Photo: Twitter.

Rubiales has also spoken about the incident during a radio interview.

“Two people showing each other a minor show of affection.” Rubiales said of questions over his conduct: “this idiocy should be ignored”.

Spanish TV presenter Claudya Carolina though described Rubiales’ actions as “unpresentable” and “excessive”.

Football journalist Colin Millar has also written on Twitter: “The behaviour of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales here is not ok. This is the highlight of a footballer’s career and they are highly emotionally charged”.

Rubiales also defended his actions when speaking on Radio MARCA.

“The kiss with Jenni? Idiots are everywhere,” he said of the outrage.

“When two people have an unimportant gesture of affection, we can’t listen to idiocy”.

Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso was not an isolated incident after full-time. As the Spanish players celebrated on the pitch, Rubiales was pictured kissing match-winner Olga Carmona. Attempts to normalise this behaviour from the head of the FA is deeply unsettling. pic.twitter.com/AgvaoKC4vM

— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 20, 2023

Video of Rubiales kissing another Spanish player on the cheek during the on-field celebrations has also emerged.

Spain’s World Cup charge was tainted by controversy over both the federation and coach Jorge Vilda’s relationship with the players.

Several top stars formed part of a 15-player protest against the national team ahead of the tournament, although many relented in their stance and three were included in the squad.

Rubiales was a firm backer of Vilda and the RFEF was criticised for their strong position against the 15 protesting players.

Hermoso, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca, missed a penalty in the match but Spain held on to win through Olga Carmona’s first-half strike.

“We played how we wanted to play and we won a World Cup,” an emotional Hermoso told Spanish broadcasters La 1, in tears after the game.

— with AFP

Originally published as ‘Not OK’: Outrage over ‘horrific’ unsolicited World Cup kiss