A British broadcaster has come to the defense of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales, who received backlash for kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso. Esther Krakue appeared on Good Morning Britain and argued that it’s “patronizing” to make a big deal out of the incident, especially when Hermoso herself claimed it was a “natural gesture of affection.” Krakue emphasized that Hermoso is a grown woman who has a close relationship with Rubiales and that British culture tends to be more reserved and prudish compared to southern Europe.
However, football writer Colin Millar viewed the kiss as offensive and raised concerns about consent. He suggested that Hermoso’s initial dislike of the kiss on Instagram Live seemed spontaneous, while her later statement felt like crisis management to divert attention from the incident. Millar criticized Rubiales for treating women differently and argued that his behavior did not respect the principles of empowering and respecting women.
Krakue countered by emphasizing the importance of cultural and interpersonal context. She cautioned against labeling the incident as uncomfortable or equivalent to sexual assault without fully considering Hermoso’s perspective as a grown woman capable of expressing her feelings. Krakue also pointed out that people from southern Europe tend to be more affectionate, citing her own experience living in France.
When Spain’s Queen Letizia and FIFA president Gianni Infantino congratulated the Spanish team, Rubiales hugged and kissed many of the players, including Hermoso. This sparked controversy on social media, with some arguing that Rubiales went too far. Despite the criticism, Rubiales initially defended the kiss, dismissing it as a show of affection between friends. However, he later apologized, admitting his mistake and acknowledging the need for more caution as the president of the Spanish Football Federation.
Hermoso, for her part, expressed discomfort with the kiss during Spain’s dressing room celebrations but described it as an emotional moment without further implications. She emphasized the importance of focusing on Spain’s World Cup victory rather than dwelling on the gesture. In a statement released through the RFEF, Hermoso highlighted that the kiss was a spontaneous and natural expression of gratitude and friendship.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the kiss highlighted cultural differences in displays of affection and sparked a conversation about consent and respect.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
