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Journalism of Courage
The celebrations of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales have come under the scanner after he was caught on video kissing Spain’s Jenni Hermoso on the lips on the podium right as members of the Spain women’s football team were collecting their medals from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Hermoso told Spanish TV network La 1 she “did not enjoy” kissed on the lips by the head of Spain’s football federation.
The incident has tarred what was an incredible moment in history for women’s football in Spain. Spain was celebrating its first Women’s World Cup trophy after defeating England 1-0 in the final of the Women’s World Cup. Olga Carmona scored in the first half for Spain.
The victory made Spain the first team to hold the under-17, under-20 and senior world titles at the same time. Spain is the fifth winner in nine editions of the Women’s World Cup and joined Germany as the only two nations to win both the men’s and women’s titles, according to The Associated Press.
After being given her medal by FIFA president Infantino, videos showed Hermoso being given a long hug by Rubiales, who lifted the player off her feet. A conversation between the pair followed, before Rubiales grabbed Hermoso around her back and kissed her on the lips. he also patted her on the back before she walked away.
There were also videos that purportedly showed Rubiales grabbing his crotch at a different time of the night as Spain’s title was confirmed.
What made the win even more remarkable for Spain was that the team overcame turmoil before the event.
There was a near-mutiny by players last year, with fifteen players saying they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment, according to AP.
Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.
“We’ve suffered a lot throughout the past 12 months but I think everything has a reason to be. This has made us a stronger team,” Spain’s goalscorer Carmona said after the final. “And it’s really incredible. I don’t know just why Spain is the world champions, but I think that we deserved it.”
