Saturday 26 August 2023

Luis Rubiales Victim Blaming

It really shouldn't be a debate but the Head of the Spanish FA, Luis Rubiales, continues to defend himself by saying he did nothing wrong by grabbing and kissing the female Spanish player, Jenni Hermoso, full on the lips during the medal ceremony of the World Cup Final.
Pathetically the Spanish FA and the European Football body did nothing and it was the World Governing Body, FIFA, who has suspended Rubiales and the Spanish FA have actively defended him and have said they will take legal action against Hermosa for lying after she said that at no point did she give consent for Rubiales to kiss her.
As part of the defence the Spanish FA have released 4 photos showing Hermosa lifting the Spanish FA Head up and agreeing to a little kiss although the TV Pictures watched by 80 million viewers show that at all times during that moment Rubiale's feet are on the floor which means the photographs have been obviously doctored which only add another layer to this sorry saga of unwanted sexual attention by a powerful man.
On the Final whistle of the World Cup Final victory over England, Rubiales is seen to grab his crutch in a crude victory gesture for which he has apologised for but it is his refusal to not only resign but admit he did anything wrong by kissing Hermosa and trying to blame her for instigating it that had forced  
11 coaching and technical staff across Spanish football to resign and the entire Women's team to refuse to play for their country while Rubiales remains in his job.
FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has come out with his 'unconditional support' to Hermoso and 'condemns the intolerable behaviour of the Spanish football chief'.
Former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin summed it up when he said: 'What is happening is truly shameful. From representing our country with that level of vulgarity, misrepresenting the victim's statements and, on top of that, having the audacity to blame her, going on to victimise her for having committed an abuse, are facts that no one would do. The narcissist never believes he has made a mistake, he is capable of lying, manipulating the truth and making the victim guilty in order to maintain his power above others'.
Such a shame that the brilliant achievements of the Spanish Women's Team are being overshadowed by the shameful and misogynistic actions the very people they were representing who are doing so much to smear the victim.

No comments: