Accustomed to steering clear of controversy, no event threatened him more than the controversial kiss Jenni Hermoso took after the World Cup final.
Luis Rubiales finds himself cornered. The behavior he displayed following Spain women’s national team victory over England at the end of the World Cup has placed the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) under intense scrutiny.
Under ordinary circumstances, the situation would seem straightforward. A kiss on the lips without consent would belong on the list of scandals surrounding the former footballer and the current Spanish federation leader for decades.
Since taking office as RFEF president in May 2018, Rubiales has endured a flood of crises, each more piercing than the last. Yet the present moment feels different. The tide could rise to his neck this time.
In the five years Rubiales has led the federation, many outlets have chronicled numerous private and public episodes that hinted at the inner workings of the organisation. Rumors of corruption, espionage, and sensational misconduct have circulated, but nothing compared to the international uproar triggered by a national team player’s kiss being shared publicly without consent.
Now Rubiales stands at the center of a firestorm. Calls for his dismissal come from wide swaths of the public, the League F, and even members of the government who express strong anger. Only recently did the prime minister publicly acknowledge the controversy, and several officials have urged accountability while leaving room for due process.
At present, Rubiales appears to have the tacit support of his fellow regional federation leaders, to whom he directed a substantial contribution after consolidating his leadership to professionalize governance, as reported by the digital outlet Relevo.
The following review examines the ongoing tensions and the ways Rubiales has managed to weather the storm so far, though questions about his tenure continue to dominate sports headlines.
Source: Goal