The Luis Rubiales Scandal refers to the controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), following an incident during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The scandal gained widespread attention after Rubiales was criticized for forcibly kissing Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain won the tournament. This incident sparked a national and international outcry regarding issues of consent and respect in sports, leading to debates on sexism and the treatment of women in athletics. The scandal resulted in Rubiales facing significant backlash, calls for his resignation, and investigations into his conduct, ultimately leading to his suspension from football-related activities by FIFA. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges regarding gender equality and inappropriate behavior in sports governance.
Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales defended his actions during the 2023 World Cup award ceremony amid allegations of an unsolicited kiss with player Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales described the kiss as…