Why is the kiss controversial?

Sat, Aug 26 2023  –The kiss between Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and Jenni Hermoso, a player on the Spanish women’s national team, is controversial for a number of reasons.

First, Hermoso has said that she did not consent to the kiss. She has described it as an “impulse-driven, sexist, out-of-place act”. Rubiales, on the other hand, has claimed that the kiss was consensual.

Second, the kiss took place in a public setting, in front of a large audience. This has led to concerns that it could be seen as an attempt to intimidate or silence Hermoso.

Third, the kiss occurred at a time when the Spanish women’s team was celebrating their victory in the World Cup final. This has led to accusations that Rubiales was using the kiss to take attention away from the team’s achievement.

Fourth, the kiss has been seen as a sign of disrespect for women’s football. Some people have argued that it reinforces the idea that women’s footballers are not to be taken seriously.

Fifth, the kiss has also been seen as a violation of FIFA’s code of conduct. The code states that “all persons involved in football must behave in a way that does not bring the game into disrepute”.

In light of these concerns, FIFA has suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities for an initial period of 90 days. The suspension is pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales.

The kiss has also sparked a wider debate about the issue of consent in sports. Many people have argued that it is important to have clear guidelines about when and how it is appropriate to touch someone without their consent. They have also called for more education about consent in sports, especially for young people.

It is difficult to say definitively who is to blame for the kiss between Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and Jenni Hermoso, a player on the Spanish women’s national team. Both parties have made conflicting statements about the incident, and there is no clear evidence to support either side’s claims.

Rubiales has said that the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso has said that she did not consent to it. Rubiales has also accused Hermoso of lying about the incident, while Hermoso has denied these accusations.

It is possible that both parties are telling the truth, but that they have different interpretations of what happened. It is also possible that one or both parties are lying. Without more evidence, it is impossible to say for sure.

However, regardless of who is to blame, the kiss is a serious matter. It is a violation of Hermoso’s personal space and autonomy, and it has the potential to damage her reputation and career. It is also a reminder of the challenges that women face in sports, where they are often objectified and treated as second-class citizens.

The RFEF has launched an investigation into the incident, and it is likely that further action will be taken against Rubiales or Hermoso, or both. In the meantime, the incident has shone a spotlight on the issue of consent in sports, and it is a reminder that all athletes have the right to be treated with respect.

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