The latest twists and turns in the Luis Rubiales affair have shaken the world of Spanish football. After being suspended from his role as president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales finally announced his resignation on Sunday evening. The move comes after Rubiales forcibly kissed player Jennifer Hermoso during the celebration of the Spanish women’s national team’s World Cup victory.
In a resignation letter addressed to the interim president of the federation, Rubiales explains that he will not be able to recover his position due to his suspension by FIFA and the legal proceedings initiated against him. He also says he does not want Spanish football to be affected by the hostile media campaign to which it is the subject.
This affair caused a real uproar in Spain and beyond, with virulent criticism of Rubiales and calls for his resignation. Players of the Spanish national team, as well as political and sports figures, joined the protests and expressed their support for Jennifer Hermoso and other women victims of sexual assault.
Rubiales’ resignation is seen as an important step in the fight against sexual assault in sports, but more needs to be done to promote equality and safety for women in football and other fields.
At the same time as this affair, the coach of the Spanish women’s national team, Jorge Vilda, was sacked because of his support for Rubiales. He was replaced by Montse Tomé, the first woman to lead the national team. Tomé will now face the challenge of restoring trust between the players and the federation, as the next international matches approach.
This case highlights the importance of awareness and prevention of sexual assault in sport. Federations, clubs and athletes must work together to create a safe and respectful environment for all, with no tolerance for violent or non-consensual behavior. Spanish football, and more broadly the world of sport, must learn from this affair and work towards gender equality and respect for all individuals.