(Madrid) Outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed on Saturday that Spain’s players had taught “a lesson to the world” by going on strike over the forced-kissing affair and the refusal to resign by their now-suspended boss Luis Rubiales .
“Our players have won twice: once on the pitch, and then giving the world a lesson, a lesson in gender equality,” said socialist Pedro Sanchez during a speech in Malaga, welcoming the decision of the 23 world champions to no longer wear the jersey of the national team if the direction of the football federation was maintained.
Minutes after La Roja’s world title on August 20 in Sydney, Spanish Football Federation boss Luis Rubiales surprised No.10 Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, sparking international outrage.
“Spain is a feminist country,” explained Pedro Sanchez, speaking “of women who have decided not to submit anymore. Never again. It’s over, “in reference to the slogan chanted in the demonstrations of support for Jenni Hermoso.
“It’s over (they say) for men, fiancés, husbands, their leaders, presidents of sports federations. It’s over,” he repeated, referring to an “unstoppable, giant wave.”
Then wondering “if this has harmed the external image of Spain”, the head of government considered that “no: I believe that the Spain brand is the exemplary reaction of the players of the selection Spanish football club and the reaction of Spanish society who said, joining them, “it’s over”, with all the consequences that this can have, especially for the leaders”.
A few hours after Luis Rubiales’ sensational speech in which he announced that he would remain in office, judging that he should not resign “because of a little consented kiss”, and denouncing a lawsuit brought by “false feminism”, the 23 players had announced that they refused to be called up for selection until there was a change at the head of the federation.
This speech was applauded by almost the entire General Assembly of the Spanish Federation (RFEF), including the coaches of the men’s and women’s teams.
FIFA, which had opened a disciplinary investigation against Luis Rubiales, suspended him the next day for 90 days “from any football-related activity at national and international level” pending the progress of the ongoing procedures.
A procedure is also underway in Spain, with the Administrative Court for Sport.
On Friday evening, Luis Rubiales, who had remained silent since his speech a week earlier, insisted in a statement published by the newspaper El Mundo that he would continue to defend his “one and only version, the one I have had since the first moment , which I continue to stand for and will not change.”
He blasted “unprecedented political and media lynching…not just nationally, but globally.”
