Former USWNT winger, Megan Rapinoe has slammed Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales after he forcefully kissed Spanish defender, Jenni Hermoso while they celebrated winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Rubiales was pictured grabbing Hermoso and kissing the striker on the lips during Spain’s celebrations after beating England 1-0 in the Women’s World Cup final a few days ago.
The action has been condemned by associations around the world, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez describing the incident as ‘unacceptable’.
Megan Rapinoe, USWNT legend did not mince words as she gave her two cents on the incident.
It made me think about how much we are required to endure. Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year [to protest poor treatment by their coach and federation] still are not on the team.
“Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you should not have to have that.”
“There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man [Rubiales] at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch,” she said.
“What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni [Hermoso] has to be physically assaulted by this guy.”
