Luis Rubiales banned from football after unwanted kiss controversy
- Following the unwanted kiss incident at the 2023 Women's World Cup, Luis Rubiales faced severe backlash and scrutiny from the public and media.
- Rubiales resigned from his position in September 2023 and was subsequently banned from all football-related activities by FIFA.
- The incident sparked significant discussions around the treatment of women in soccer and led to unity among players calling for major reforms.
In Spain, an incident involving Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup final brought significant attention to issues of consent and respect in sports. Rubiales kissed Hermoso without her consent during the medal ceremony, which sparked widespread outrage and led to his provisional suspension by FIFA soon after. Following public pressure and the negative backlash, Rubiales resigned from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation in September 2023. FIFA later imposed a lifetime ban on him from any football-related activities, and Spanish prosecutors sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales based on claims of kissing Hermoso without her consent. The incident acted as a catalyst for broader discussions about the treatment of women in sports and the cultures surrounding it. It unveiled longstanding frustrations among female soccer players regarding the lack of respect and support from governing bodies, further leading to unity among World Cup-winning players who called for structural changes within the federation. The players featured in a Netflix documentary that offered insights into the events leading to and following the kiss, capturing their struggles and triumphs amidst an environment they described as controlling and dismissive. Notably, this documentary highlighted the players’ eventual willingness to speak out against inappropriate behavior and their desire for a cultural shift in the sporting world.