The incident that unfolded during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony, where the president of Spain’s soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, has left Patricia Otero, an amateur soccer player, feeling saddened yet unsurprised.
To Otero, this kiss represents just one prominent example of the mistreatment she and her fellow female athletes have endured throughout their lives.
Speaking from Malaga, where she balances her soccer pursuits with teaching high school, the 30-year-old shared her perspective with The Associated Press.
Rubiales’ attempt to justify the kiss by likening it to one he would give his own daughters only served to echo the familiar rhetoric that has perpetuated such behavior in the past.
The quote above highlights a distressing reality that many individuals have experienced within the realm of sports coaching.
The speaker recounts an uncomfortable encounter with a coach who would pat their athletes’ buttocks, all the while masquerading it as a friendly gesture.
What makes this situation even more disconcerting is the coach’s statement, “You are like a daughter to me,” which further blurs the line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
The speaker’s mention of being too young to fully comprehend the coach’s actions underscores the insidious nature of such misconduct.
It is not uncommon for young athletes to perceive these actions as normal, as they may lack the knowledge or awareness to recognize the coach’s inappropriate behavior.
This anecdote serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability within the realm of sports coaching, as well as the need to educate athletes on appropriate boundaries and behavior.
In the realm of Spanish soccer, women still face an ongoing struggle for equality. A vivid example of this disparity is recounted by Otero, who recalls her team having to resort to selling raffle tickets just to afford to play, while also being responsible for cleaning their own locker rooms, a task that their male counterparts were exempt from.
The recent globally televised incident involving a non-consensual kiss has sparked widespread condemnation both within Spain and beyond.
Despite Rubiales’ claims to the contrary, public opinion overwhelmingly supports the 33-year-old player, Hermoso.
The only remaining support for Rubiales, who is 46 years old, comes from his mother, who staged a brief hunger strike in protest of her son’s downfall before ultimately ending it on Wednesday.
Amidst the overshadowing of the new world champions, Spain is now taking steps to transform this crisis into a moment of reckoning for the pervasive sexism that exists within the sport.
This effort is particularly significant in a country that has made considerable strides in other areas and is considered a leader in female gender equality within Europe.
Despite Rubiales’ insistence that he did nothing wrong, his act was perceived by Spain’s government, players’ unions, soccer clubs, fans, and most importantly, Hermoso and her teammates, as a sexist abuse of power that was no longer acceptable.
As a result, FIFA, the world soccer governing body, suspended Rubiales for a period of 90 days, and Spain’s government is taking steps to declare him unfit for his position.
The condemnation of Rubiales has extended beyond the realms of government and soccer authorities. Fans at men’s games in La Liga last weekend chanted for his resignation, while hundreds of people rallied in downtown Madrid to show support for Hermoso.
Instead of stepping down when given the opportunity on Friday, Rubiales chose to deliver a tirade to his federation members, claiming to be the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by “false feminists.” Although sexism has deep historical roots in Spain, Rubiales finds himself at odds with the rapidly evolving social norms of the country.
Women’s rights activism has been gaining momentum for decades, but it was particularly intensified in 2018 following a high-profile gang rape case that served as Spain’s own version of the “Me Too” movement.
In the wake of societal progress and the recognition of women’s rights, significant strides have been made to safeguard and advance women’s autonomy.
Laws have been enacted to protect women’s right to abortion, acknowledging their agency over their own bodies and reproductive choices.
This legislative development has been instrumental in ensuring that women have the freedom to make decisions regarding their reproductive health without undue interference or judgment.
Moreover, there has been a concerted effort to promote gender equality in the workplace, recognizing the importance of creating an inclusive and fair environment for all individuals.
These laws aim to address the historical disparities and discrimination faced by women in various professional settings, seeking to level the playing field and foster equal opportunities for career advancement and success.
Additionally, one of the most groundbreaking legal measures in this realm has been the introduction of a law that clearly defines sexual consent.
This legislation, considered among the most ambitious in Europe, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework that ensures individuals engage in consensual sexual activities, with a focus on informed and enthusiastic participation.
By providing a clear definition of consent, this law aims to combat sexual violence and harassment, promoting a culture of respect and accountability.
These laws collectively reflect society’s commitment to upholding women’s rights, fostering gender equality, and creating a more just and equitable world.
During a series of AP interviews conducted with women involved in soccer and various other fields, a unanimous agreement emerged regarding the recent incident involving Rubiales: such an act, even just a decade ago, would have gone largely unnoticed.
Marisa Soleto, the president of the feminist Women’s Foundation, highlighted the seismic shift that Spain has undergone in recent years.
She emphasized that this incident demonstrates that Spanish society now comprehends that an act doesn’t have to involve physical violence for it to be considered non-consensual and violent.
The groundswell of support for Hermoso, the victim of the incident, has found its rallying cry in the phrase “Se Acabo,” which translates to “this is over” in Spanish.
This slogan was initiated by Hermoso’s teammate and star player, Alexia Putellas, and has since gained momentum as a powerful statement against Rubiales, to the extent that even the men’s players of Sevilla have donned T-shirts bearing the phrase.
Lisa Banks, a highly regarded civil rights and employment attorney based in Washington, has highlighted the Rubiales kiss incident as a pivotal “learning moment” for men in positions of power, particularly in the realm of sports.
Banks emphasizes that regardless of the context, an assault remains an assault, even if it occurs during a moment of jubilation.
Although Rubiales initially faced resistance from certain soccer leaders, his unwavering refusal to step down and his claim of being a victim of a feminist smear campaign were met with applause from the majority male general assembly of the soccer federation.
However, FIFA’s subsequent suspension of Rubiales caused his remaining supporters to abandon him, and now the heads of regional federations are calling for his resignation.
Moreover, prosecutors have initiated a preliminary investigation into whether the kiss constituted a sexual aggression offense, and the national women’s soccer team has declared their refusal to play as long as Rubiales remains in power.
Beatriz Álvarez, the president of Spain’s professional women’s league, believes that Rubiales’ downfall encompasses more than just a battle between the sexes or feminism.
The incident described as the “little peck” has sparked a heated controversy surrounding the power dynamics within the workplace.
According to Álvarez, a witness to the incident, the boss in question forcefully grabbed the worker’s head and proceeded to kiss her.
This act of physical intimacy was particularly concerning due to the fact that Luis Rubiales, the federation president at the time, held an immense amount of authority over the worker.
The incident has been labeled as the “final straw” by Hermoso, who has criticized Rubiales for not acknowledging her repeated assertions that the kiss was non-consensual.
This incident raises important questions about the boundaries in professional relationships and the need for individuals in positions of power to be held accountable for their actions.
During the live television coverage of the celebration, an important aspect that cannot be overlooked is the underlying attitudes that have permeated the daily lives of the team members for years, as stated by a spokesperson.
The Spanish women players were compelled to take drastic measures last September, resorting to rebellion against the federation in order to bring about improvements in the team’s conditions.
Fifteen players boldly declared that they would no longer play under the coaching of Vilda unless significant changes were made, citing instances of what a former female assistant coach described as treating the players as if they were mere 12-year-olds.
However, the federation chose to stand by Vilda, resulting in only three players returning to the World Cup squad.
Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope that the response to the recent scandal involving a kiss will trigger a domino effect, leading to the rectification of long-standing inequalities within the realm of soccer.
It is disheartening to note that the minimum salary for male players in the first division amounts to a staggering 182,000 euros ($197,000), while their female counterparts receive a meager 16,000 euros ($17,400).
This stark contrast highlights the deeply ingrained gender disparities that persist within the sport. Pilar Calvo, representing Spain’s Association of Women in Professional Sports, revealed that her organization has witnessed a five-fold increase in the number of complaints filed over the past week.
These complaints span a wide range of inequalities, encompassing issues such as individuals feeling overlooked for sports scholarships, disparities in access to sporting facilities for women, and unequal distribution of prize money.
The spotlight is now firmly fixed on the federation, as the public eagerly awaits to see if Rubiales will be permanently barred from returning and whether his successor can usher in a new era of cultural transformation.
Toña Is, a former player turned coach who led Spain’s women to victory in the under-17 World Cup in 2018, had also served as an assistant coach under Vilda until she was unceremoniously dismissed by the federation in 2020.
Is, who now works as a policewoman in northern Spain, revealed that her termination was a direct result of her internal complaints regarding sexism and other inappropriate behavior. Today, she finally feels vindicated for her courageous stance.
The events surrounding the celebration, the rebellion against the federation, and the subsequent increase in complaints all serve as poignant reminders that gender inequalities within soccer continue to persist. It is imperative that these issues are addressed promptly and effectively, with the hope that lasting change will be achieved.
The Spanish women’s team’s triumph in the face of adversity should serve as an inspiration for all, emphasizing the importance of equality and fairness within the world of sports.
In light of recent revelations, it has become evident that the passage of time has vindicated our stance, confirming the existence of inappropriate episodes within the federation that have persisted for years.
It is imperative that we adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards such sexist attitudes, not only within the realm of sports, but also within society as a whole.
By doing so, we can ensure that we do not relive these distressing moments in the future. The need for a comprehensive change in mindset and behavior is paramount, as we strive towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
Such a transformation requires collective effort and a commitment to eradicating all forms of discrimination and prejudice.
It is through this concerted action that we can pave the way for a brighter and more equal future. As we navigate these challenges, it is important to acknowledge the contributions of individuals like Jocelyn Noveck from New York and the diligent reporting of _ Wilson from Barcelona, Spain, who have shed light on these issues and contributed to the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender equality.