The Spanish Minister of Culture and Sports, Miquel Iceta, cautioned this week that the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) would face consequences if it does not act after the kiss on the lips shared by its president, Luis Rubiales, with Hermoso, a member of the women’s national team, during the World Cup final medal ceremony. The incident has sparked calls for accountability from multiple national bodies, signaling a potential shift in how sports governance handles high-profile misconduct.
Iceta noted that decisions must come from the federation, but if the federation stalls, the matter would be escalated to the Supreme Sports Council (CSD). He spoke to EFE while attending the G20 Ministers of Culture meeting in India, outlining the government’s expectation that proper procedures be followed to address the event and protect athletes’ rights.
The day before Iceta spoke, the RFEF announced an extraordinary general assembly to consider the situation, underscoring the federation’s intention to debate the matter in a formal setting.
Rubiales under pressure and the push for Federation action
Observers anticipated a cautious approach from the minister at a time when the federation faced heightened scrutiny. The CSD signaled that all available mechanisms would be activated, especially those connected to complaints already submitted, with a view to processing them in the early days of the following week. The authorities stressed that the process includes verification of the files before any referral could be considered.
Experts referenced a clear path outlined by the sports administration: if the federation fails to fulfill its duties, the matter could be directed to the Administrative Court of Sports (TAD) for a ruling. This perspective reflects the strengthened intent of the new Sports Law, which aims to safeguard athletes’ rights and place an obligation on clubs, federations, and national leagues to uphold them.
When asked about direct outreach to Hermoso, Iceta indicated that the government would listen to her account of the incident. He emphasized that the federation must respond to public expectations, noting that the moment surrounding the celebration had already taken on symbolic significance for Spanish society and that accountability was essential for moving forward.
The kiss between Rubiales and Hermoso occurred during the medal ceremony after Spain’s women’s soccer team claimed world champions status, defeating England in the final held in Australia and New Zealand, with Olga Carmona providing the decisive goal. The event has since become a focal point for discussions about conduct, consent, and the responsibilities of sport leaders in endorsing a respectful sporting culture. This development continues to shape the ongoing dialogue among national authorities, the federation, players, and fans about how to balance celebration with accountability in international competitions, and how to prevent similar incidents in the future. [Citations: government statements, federation announcements, and sports law analyses]
In summary, the unfolding situation places the RFEF under pressure to demonstrate leadership and transparency. By aligning with the new sports legislation and outlining a clear process for addressing complaints, the authorities aim to restore confidence among players and supporters alike. The central question remains whether the federation will move decisively, or whether further intervention from state sports bodies will become necessary to ensure compliance with established protocols and ethical standards. [Contextual reporting and official statements]