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UN wades into Spain’s sexism row: ‘Not difficult not to kiss somebody’

The spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general on Monday pitched into the sexism row engulfing Spain, asking: "How difficult is it not to kiss somebody on the lips?"

Published: 29 August 2023 10:24 CEST

UN wades into Spain's sexism row: 'Not difficult not to kiss somebody'

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres with Stephane Dujarric (L), Spokesman for the Secretary General speaks during a press briefing at United Nations Headquarters (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres, called on authorities to address sexism “in a manner that respects the rights of all female athletes” after the Spanish football chief’s forcible kiss on the lips of World Cup player Jenni Hermoso.

“There is a critical issue of sexism that remains in sports,” he said.

Luis Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her lips in front of millions of people as he congratulated the Spanish team on winning the World Cup on August 20.

Hermoso has described the kiss, which has sparked a global wave of indignation, as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”

Rubiales has insisted it was consensual and refused to resign his post.

Prosecutors at Spain’s top criminal court said Monday they had opened a preliminary sexual abuse investigation into the incident.

Rubiales, who was provisionally suspended from his post as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) by FIFA on Saturday, could face an extended sanction if the country’s sports court accepts complaints against him in a meeting on Monday.

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World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain's scandal-hit federation

The retired 73-year-old led La Roja to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship titles, as well as taking Real Madrid to two Champions League triumphs.

“I’m proud to announce that the person presiding over the committee and representing it… is Vicente del Bosque,” said Pilar Alegría, the minister for Education and Sports.

“Del Bosque will be the face and representation of Spanish football.”

Last week Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) created a committee to “oversee” the federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.

Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace after forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso last year, while he and new president Pedro Rocha are under investigation in a graft probe.

“I believe that (Del Bosque) is the clearest representation of a good person of great human quality and, above all, an example of honesty and respect,” added Alegría.

The RFEF took decisions “beyond its remit” after Rubiales stepped down in December according to a report from the country’s leading sports court, resulting in the CSD creating the committee.

World and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA subsequently issued a statement expressing “great concern” at the situation around the RFEF.

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment (of the committee) … may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said.

Spain is due to host the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.

The court report on the RFEF interim committee overstepping its bounds also raised the possibility the CSD may provisionally suspend Rocha, who was elected as Rubiales’ replacement on Friday, and other RFEF directors.

A CSD meeting Tuesday over potential punishments for these alleged infringements was put on hold after the sports court asked for more documentation, CSD sources told AFP.

The sources said the CSD plans to meet again in the coming days.

One decision allegedly beyond the remit of the RFEF was the renewal of current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract in February.

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