In his pre-match press conference ahead of Paris Saint-Germain clash against Lens tomorrow tonight, head coach Luis Enrique was notably asked about the controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales his former boss while manager of the Spanish national team.
In the wake of Spain’s World Cup victory, the FA chief grabbed and forcibly kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation. The forward – Spain’s all-time top goalscorer, and formerly of PSG – later expressed her distaste of the incident, and has since called on Rubiales’ actions not to go unpunished, in a statement via her union, FUTPRO.
While he has since offered a lukewarm apology for the kiss, Rubiales vowed to stay in his position during a general assembly of the Spanish FA today, notably speaking of “false feminism” and a “social assassination” of his character.
In the last week, the former left-back’s actions during the final (which also saw him grab his crotch in celebration) and his insistence on staying have been criticised by several of Hermoso’s teammates – Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas – as well as male Spanish players (Isco, Borja Iglesias). Backlash has also come from Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez, as well as second deputy prime minister Yolanda Díaz and minister for equality Irene Montero. The latter has branded the incidents as “a form of sexual violence“.
Luis Enrique, who was manager of La Roja between 2019 and 2022, and was hired a year after Rubiales’ initial election as president. This afternoon, the coach has opted against outright criticism of Rubiales when asked about his view on the incident during his press conference:
“If I’m basing it off of my own experience – because he’s been at the FA for many years – The work he has done over the years has been exceptional, taking the federation to new heights, beyond the results on the pitch. The numbers speak for themselves. I would say he’s done a fantastic job. In terms of the episode that took place in the last game, I think the president himself has acknowledged his mistakes. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to give my opinion on the subject.”
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
