Behind the Rubiales row

Spanish football is in turmoil after weeks of uncertainty over the future of football federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales.

At a ceremony after Spain’s World Cup win, the now-suspended football chief kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso. Rubiales claims the kiss was consensual. Hermoso denies that, stating she was she said she was “the victim of an aggression”. The Spanish government, Fifa, and many high profile players have condemned Rubiales, but he refuses to resign.

This is not the first scandal to hit women’s football in Spain. Less than a year before their World Cup win, Spain faced a player strike. In September 2022, the RFEF released a statement revealing 15 players had submitted identical emails saying they would not play for manager Jorge Vilda unless “significant” concerns over their “emotional state” were addressed.

The dispute arose after a disappointing result in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and concerns about Vilda’s coaching style and his treatment of players. Until three years previously, players reportedly had to keep their hotel room doors unlocked before midnight while on international duty. Vilda survived, maintaining the support of Rubiales throughout.

His predecessor, Ignacio Quereda, was in post for nearly 27 years, sacked only when his entire squad called for his dismissal after their poor performance at the 2015 World Cup. Players had accused him of bullying, controlling behaviour and homophobia.

Their World Cup win has given the players a platform to challenge the domineering and sexist culture in Spanish football.

Rubiales, who prior to the kiss had displayed himself on TV grabbing his crotch while applauding the win at the stadium, is under pressure from his own federation to resign, having been suspended from his position by Fifa on Saturday. Already 81 Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, have said they will not play for the team again while Rubiales is in charge. Most of Vilda’s coaching staff resigned in protest against the president.

Vilda’s position is also under threat. He was filmed applauding Rubiales at the RFEF’s extraordinary general assembly, when Rubiales repeatedly insisted he would not resign claiming he was the victim of “social assassination” due to “false feminism”.

It seems unlikely Rubiales can survive as RFEF President. The question is whether a fuller challenge follows to institutional sexism in the sport.