8th October 2025
Barcelona NewsCatalonia NewsMadrid NewsMain NewsSport

Calls for Spain’s football chief to resign after kissing player on lips

The president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has been heavily criticised on social media for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips on Sunday, during the Women’s World Cup celebrations in Sydney, with many calling for his resignation. ALSO READSpain beat England 1-0 to win the Women’s World Cup.

La Roja lifted the trophy after beating England 1-0 in Australia but victory was tarnished by the incident which occurred shortly after the game during the medal ceremony.

In an Instagram live stream of the celebrations in the dressing rooms, Hermoso is seen apparently making her distaste known, responding, ‘Hey, but I didn’t like that!’ when asked about the kiss and shown a video clip of it – although she was laughing as she spoke. (See Tweet below).

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,’ she reportedly said, according to the AFP, citing comments passed to them by the Spanish football 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.’

Many have said that the kiss on the lips was not a ‘gesture of affection’ but an ‘abuse of power’ and also sexual aggression. [A video clip can be seen via the Tweet below].

The video has been shared widely on social media, prompting international media coverage of the kiss. An article in The New York Times, said the video has been spurring ‘confusion among many Spaniards and prompting others to denounce it as highly inappropriate behaviour. Some called it disgraceful and evidence of lingering sexism in soccer. Others demanded that Rubiales resign.’

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 national broadcasters La 1, in tears after the game.

Sign up for the FREE Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.

Please support Spain in English with a donation.

Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.

Click here for further details on how to ADVERTISE with us.

Recent Posts

Four missing, at least 10 injured after part of building collapses in Madrid

Tim Parfitt

Spain begins trial of terrorism suspect in 2023 church machete killings

News Desk

Spain culls over 120 cattle after first outbreak of lumpy skin disease

News Desk

Israel dismisses claims of violating flotilla activists’ rights as a ‘PR stunt’

News Desk

Barcelona, Madrid join Europe-wide rallies against Israel’s Gaza campaign

News Desk

Court weighs verdict in Spanish media’s €550m data protection case against Meta

News Desk

Leave a Comment