Title: Megan Rapinoe Calls Out Luis Rubiales for Misogynistic Behavior, Puts Spotlight on Spanish Federation’s Controversial Actions
In a recent turn of events following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final against England, US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe has strongly criticized Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish soccer federation, for his inappropriate behavior. Rapinoe’s comments have shed light on the ongoing controversies surrounding the Spanish team, particularly the mistreatment of some players who were not included in the World Cup squad.
The cause of Rapinoe’s criticism towards Rubiales was an unwanted kiss on the lips that he gave Spain’s star player Jennifer Hermoso, immediately after the triumphant moment. This incident has sparked a debate on the boundaries of acceptable conduct, especially in an international sporting event of such significance.
Highlighting the issues faced by some members of the Spanish team, Rapinoe referred to the 15 players who protested against mistreatment and sent letters to the federation back in September 2022, notifying them of their refusal to play until changes were made to the coaching staff. However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stood behind head coach Jorge Vilda and only included three of the 15 protesting players in the World Cup squad.
Describing Rubiales’ actions and the RFEF’s response as clear instances of misogyny and sexism, Rapinoe’s criticism has gained significant attention and support. Even the Spanish Prime Minister has publicly stated that Rubiales’ apology was insufficient, adding further pressure on the federation president.
Showing determination to rectify this unacceptable behavior, the president of the Spanish government’s High Council of Sport has vowed to take action against Rubiales if the federation fails to do so. As a result, the RFEF has scheduled an extraordinary general assembly to address the fallout from Rubiales’ actions, signaling that the federation acknowledges the seriousness of the situation.
In the wake of Rapinoe’s outspoken criticism, the incident involving Rubiales highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the world of sports. By speaking out against such behavior, Rapinoe has brought the issue to the forefront and has called for accountability and change within the Spanish federation.
As the fallout continues, it remains to be seen how the RFEF will respond to the mounting pressure. The eyes of the international soccer community are now focused on the actions they take in order to address the concerns raised by Megan Rapinoe and other advocates for gender equality in sports.
