Following three weeks of protests and persistent demands for his resignation, Luis Rubiales, the head of Spain’s soccer, has finally stepped down. However, the issues stemming from his controversial forced kiss of player Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup persist.
Jennifer Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint against him for sexual assault, and in the past week, allegations of chauvinistic treatment towards players have surfaced, leading Spanish league players to initiate a strike over pay disputes.
While Beatriz Álvarez, the president of Spain’s emerging women’s league, Liga F, welcomed Rubiales’s resignation, she lamented the immense damage his behavior has caused to Spanish football’s reputation. Rebuilding the sport now poses a significant challenge.
It remains uncertain whether Rubiales’s resignation, which occurred on Sunday, will be sufficient to appease the national team. Their first game since winning the World Cup is less than two weeks away, and the entire team, along with numerous other players, signed a statement last month refusing to play if the current leadership persisted. They have not indicated whether they will participate in the upcoming match against Sweden on September 22.
Rubiales’s resignation comes shortly after the dismissal of the squad’s coach, Jorge Vilda, whom he had staunchly supported for years despite complaints of controlling behavior. Last year, fifteen-star players walked out in protest.
Turmoil in Spanish Women’s Soccer: Luis Rubiales Resigns Amidst Scandal, Leaving Challenges in His Wake
The problems facing Spanish women’s soccer extend beyond the national squad, with disputes plaguing professional clubs as well. A pay dispute between players and clubs disrupted the start of the season this weekend. Negotiations are underway between the women’s league, representing the clubs, and the unions. However, if higher wage demands are not met, matches scheduled for the upcoming weekend could be halted.
“The players are feeling pretty angry,” said Amanda Gutiérrez, the head of Futpro, one of the unions. “They want to play; they don’t want this war.”
At the center of the dispute, ongoing for months, is the current minimum salary for female players, set at 16,000 euros, compared to 180,000 euros for their male counterparts, according to Spain’s chief players union, A.F.E. The players are seeking a minimum salary of 23,000 euros for the upcoming season, with the possibility of an increase to 25,000 euros if the league generates more than 8 million euros in sponsor income.
The women’s league contends that it cannot afford a minimum salary exceeding 20,000 euros due to additional expenses, including licenses and referees. Moreover, the league is obliged to allocate 20 percent of its sponsorship income to the national soccer federation, which uses the funds to promote its nonprofessional categories and develop its soccer programs.
Allegations of Misconduct, Pay Disputes, and Calls for Reform Rock the World of Spanish Women’s Football
Ms. Álvarez, the president of the league, representing the clubs, expressed hope that Rubiales’s resignation would usher in “a profound internal restructuring” and “institutional respect and collaboration” that would facilitate the advancement and sustainability of women’s football.
The National Court issued a statement on Monday, disclosing that Judge Francisco de Jorge had requested videos from Spanish state television showing the controversial kiss “from all angles.”
Minutes after announcing his resignation on Sunday night, Rubiales posted a statement asserting his innocence, stating, “I have faith in the truth, and I will do everything in my power to make it prevail.” If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison.
Some commentators have described recent events in Spanish football as a turning point in Spain’s #MeToo movement, as they spotlight a divide between entrenched machismo traditions and more recent progressivism, which has positioned Spain as a European leader on issues of feminism and equality.
Marta Lois, a spokeswoman for the Sumar group within Spain’s coalition government, emphasized the importance of continuing efforts “to eradicate the structural chauvinism that affects the football institutions in Spain.” She criticized Rubiales for not apologizing to Jenni Hermoso, calling it “regrettable.”
Despite Rubiales’s assertion of a campaign against him, Víctor Francos, the president of Spain’s National Sports Council, stated on Monday morning, “Everyone wanted his resignation.”
Prominent Spanish politicians also reacted on social media to Rubiales’s resignation. The government’s second vice president, Yolanda Díaz, expressed support for the progress of the feminist movement, saying, “The feminist country is advancing ever faster. The transformation and improvement of our lives are inevitable. We’re with you, Jenni, and with all women.”
From Scandal to Reform: The Ongoing Saga of Spanish Women’s Soccer
Mar Hedo, the communications director for the Spanish public prosecutor’s office, explained that while local prosecutors typically handle sexual assault cases, jurisdiction falls to the National Court when the alleged crime occurs abroad and involves both victim and suspect being Spanish.
The soccer federation has announced plans to hold elections for a new president, although sources within the federation suggest this process may take some time. Current regulations only permit elections during Olympic years, with the next games scheduled for the summer of 2024. Any change in the election schedule would require approval from the National Sports Council, which has indicated its willingness to do so but has not yet received a formal request.
“What the National Sports Council wants is for elections in the soccer federation to be held as soon as possible,” stated Mr. Francos, its chief, on Spanish television Monday morning, following his call for reflection on a local radio show the previous night, in an effort to prevent a recurrence of recent events.
Originally posted 2023-09-13 18:26:58.
