Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks. He has been accused of grabbing his crotch in front of the Queen Letizia youngest daughter, yelling to "suck it up" to the audience, and forcibly kissing top-scorer Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the country's World Cup victory.
Rubiales, initially hit back at his critics, saying: "The kiss with Jenni? Idiots are everywhere”: but after facing widespread backlash, posted a sort of apology video:
Avoiding accontability: "Surely I was wrong" and "everything that has happened". This means he is not accepting the consequences of their actions and making amends.
Sharing responsability: “there was no bad intention by either party." The first step is to acknowledge that you have done something wrong. Don't try to minimize or justify your actions. Don't try to sugarcoat it or make excuses.
Justifying the controversial facts: “we saw it as natural”“but it has caused a commotion”. Be willing to listen to the other people's perspective. Try to understand how your actions affected them. Express regret for your actions and take steps for reparation.
Pressuring Jenni Hermoso's friends, family, and teammates to make a "joint statement" about the incident.
At that point, the acting prime minister of Spain, Spain's women's football league, Mayor of London, Pau Gasol, and countless athletes, celebrities, and media around the world, have all spoken out supporting Jenni. So in order to silence them all, the RFEF:
Released a statement including comments Hermoso did not provide: “It was a mutual, totally spontaneous gesture because of the huge joy of winning a World Cup. The ‘presi’ and I have a great relationship. It was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
Led an extraordinary assembly, in which Rubiales said: “what have I done? A consensual peck is enough to get me out of here?”He blamed 'fake feminism' for the response to his actions and shouted on stage 'I am not resigning' multiple times as the audience applauded. "Jenni was the one who lifted me up," he added. "I told her to 'forget about the penalty' and I said to her 'a little peck?' She said 'OK'.
Later Hermoso contradicted Rubiales' version of events, and in response, RFEF said it would take legal action over Hermoso: "The evidence is conclusive" "Mr President has not lied", deleting its press release later.
A grabbed crotch, a'non-consensual' kiss, defamation, and statements that did not come from understanding our place in the larger order of things. The brazen "PR sequence"of wholly unprofessional decisions.
As result, Rubiales is provisionally suspended from football-related activities by FiFA being ordered to refrain from contacting Hermoso. Eleven members of the Spain Women’s national-team coaching staff announced their resignation in a collective statement. 81 Spanish players said they would refuse to play for the national team until he is removed from his role, and the viral effect has been multiplied daily. Rubiales acted like a trigger of collective trauma.
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