Arsenal Women’s Vivianne Miedema “We’re all with you Jenni Hermoso” by Michelle
The Spanish Women squad (La Roja) should be celebrating their success after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia & New Zealand this summer. Instead, the narrative has all been about the misogynistic behavior of Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Vice President of UEFA.
FIFA has opted to “provisionally suspend Mr Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level”. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old on Thursday. “This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings,” Fifa added, as per BBC Sport.
Jenni Hermoso says she did not consent to be kissed by Luis Rubiales – a kiss that took place in front of millions of viewers worldwide, as Spain celebrated their 1-0 victory over England’s Lionesses and were crowned World Champions.
81 players have confirmed that they will not play for Spain until he is removed from his post, and people from around the world have spoken out in support of Hermoso, including Arsenal’s Leah Williamson, as she retweeted the Lionesses statement below.
— Leah Williamson (@leahcwilliamson) August 25, 2023
Arsenal’s Dutch international Vivianne Miedema, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, tweeted yesterday after the BBC confirmed Rubiales suspension, in support of Hermoso but also calling on UEFA to do the right thing too..
A first step into the right direction. But still waiting for the UEFA to do the right thing.
The RFEF needs looking into and it's time to rebuild and create a safe environment for everyone.
We can't allow this to ever happen again.
We’re all with you @Jennihermoso 🤝🏼 https://t.co/Dg1BHEaVWK
— Vivianne Miedema (@VivianneMiedema) August 26, 2023
The Spanish Women’s team are no strangers to controversy. In September 2022 Rubiales backed the Spanish Women coach Vilda and not the players, in a massive dispute that has never really been resolved. RFEF released a statement saying 15 players submitted emails saying they would not play for Vilda unless “significant” concerns over their “emotional state” and “health” were addressed. But the players denied asking for him to be sacked. Rubiales stood by the coach, though, and only 3 of those 15 players were in the World Cup squad.
Hopefully some big changes will be made. As Viv said “The RFEF needs looking into and it’s time to rebuild and create a safe environment for everyone”.
What are your thoughts on the subject?
COYGW!
Michelle Maxwell
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But excuse me, why did she repel or rescind Rubailes advance(s)?
Are you being effing serious? She didn’t have the chance to, having her head head and forcibly kissed on the lips, for f sake!
Oh my I can understand the appreciation for the opposite sex, but what was Luis Rubiales thinking.
I deliberately refrained from commenting on the Greenwood article but as another situation has arisen it only reinforces to me, just how often women are treated with a total lack of respect in some quarters. Did he not think that a full on lips to lips kiss was totally inappropriate? It wasn’t a peck on the cheek which is so common these days or an air kiss!!
The older I get, the more I realise how little women’s rights have changed since I was a teenager. I’m appalled by the treatment of women in Afghanistan where education is being eroded or in other countries where it’s ok to kill your daughter or niece for disrespecting your family’s wishes to marry someone they love.
Being groped on the underground or being uneasy about walking along the street at night is not nice.
Nor was some macho twit at the top of Spanish football thinking his behaviour was acceptable
Progress can perhaps be seen in the generally unanimous uproar that this man’s actions have caused.
Other than that, I agree entirely. While, without knowing the relationship, you could, at a stretch, understand a man misapprehending a situation – given my gender’s apparent inability to read the room – or being swept away by some emotion. But the very second the woman expresses any kind of negative reaction, any belief that consent was mutual is immediately repudiated…or at least should be. Utterly tone deaf.
👍
lol, controversy everywhere!! But on a serious note why would he do that? just take a look at how he grabbed her head and kissed her in the mouth,Aaarghh! sick that.Jenni should have as well done the needful though cos the bloke is a bozzo and should be treated as one, regardless of reputation or position held.
Well said Vamos!
Spain is a sexist, draconian state where women have always been second or nothing. Why has it taken this long to bring them into a decent line?
If it happened here, we would, I hope be up in arms.
Utter bollox I can understand this is wrong but phillips scholfield gets away with grooming a child and he’s planning a return to tv