Controversy and Progress: Women's Football in Spain

The Controversial Kiss at the 2019 Women's World Cup

In July of 2019, the Spain women's national football team made history by advancing to the round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time. Their victory against South Africa sealed their place in the knockout stage of the prestigious tournament hosted by France.

The President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, was in attendance to witness the Spanish team's achievement. Following the final whistle, Rubiales made his way down to congratulate the players and coaching staff. It was then that a controversial moment occurred between Rubiales and the scorer of Spain's winning goal that day, Jennifer Hermoso.

An Inappropriate Display of Affection?

In the euphoria of the victory, Rubiales was seen grabbing Hermoso's head and kissing her on the cheek. The seemingly innocuous kiss drew immense criticism on social media and from prominent Spanish football figures. They accused Rubiales of inappropriate behavior and abuse of power dynamics.

Veteran Spanish footballer Verónica Boquete voiced her discomfort, calling the kiss "out of place" while former Spanish international player Laura del Rio criticized it as "paternalistic." Critics suggested Rubiales took undeserved credit for the team’s accomplishments and highlighted the double standards that female footballers face.

Rubiales Responds to Backlash

In response to the allegations of impropriety, RFEF issued a statement in defense of Rubiales’s actions. They asserted that his intention was to congratulate the players and dismissed accusations of abusive conduct. Rubiales himself maintained it was an innocent celebration free of ulterior motives.

“I wanted to congratulate the players as usual. Celebrate a victory by giving a congratulatory kiss and hug to all the players, male and female, has always been common in the world of football,” he stated at a press conference.

A Symptom of Systemic Issues in Women’s Football

While Rubiales may not have acted with ill intent, many observers situated the kiss within ongoing problems in the development of women’s football. The episode revived grievances about the RFEF’s relative lack of support for the women’s game historically.

Spanish women’s football remains an amateur domain bereft of the funding and institutional backing afforded to the highly successful men’s national team. Spain has over 60,000 female footballers, but only 16 of them are full-time professionals.

The controversy also ties into the difficulties female athletes face in having their personal boundaries and space respected. Sports culture often diminishes women’s autonomy and enforces strict norms of femininity upon them.

A Watershed Moment for Equality

The intense scrutiny the kissing incident attracted indicates shifting mindsets about gender dynamics in football governance. While Rubiales escaped formal censure, the RFEF has pledged greater focus on promoting women’s football and addressing the specific obstacles its players encounter.

Voices like Boquete’s and Del Rio’s are no longer as muted within Spanish football. Younger generations of football feminists feel more empowered to question the status quo. Episodes like this make the need to accelerate progress ever more urgent.

Spain’s elimination notwithstanding, their 2019 World Cup campaign highlighted their rising standards. It also demonstrated that when historic strides are made, problematic remnants of old regimes will be challenged. With the right structural supports, Spanish women’s football can enter a new era marked by equity and inclusion.

The Road Ahead for Equality in Football

Achieving true equality within Spanish and global football remains an incomplete process in 2024. In Spain, efforts are underway to build a sustainable professional women’s league. Pay disputes continue to arise, with the women’s national team threatening strike action before the 2023 World Cup over wage gaps.

FIFA itself has been beset by criticism over its approach to women’s football, particularly in accommodating players who wish to compete while pregnant or recovering from childbirth. Other systemic issues around racism, harassment, and discriminatory hiring persist across football federations.

While organizations like RFEF and FIFA have policies addressing workplace misconduct, translating high-level commitments into tangible culture change is always incremental. Periodically, flashpoints like the Rubiales kissing incident lay bare the pace of progress in stark terms.

Ultimately, realizing equity in world football will require those within its power structures to reflect deeply on their assumptions while empowering historically marginalized voices. Though a long road lies ahead, the journey thus far underscores the irrepressible strength of the women challenging the status quo and claiming the space they deserve in football.

FAQs

What happened with the Spanish football president after the 2019 Women's World Cup game?

After Spain won their knockout stage game, football federation president Luis Rubiales went to congratulate the team and was seen kissing player Jennifer Hermoso on the cheek. This sparked criticism over inappropriate conduct.

How did Rubiales respond to accusations of improper behavior?

Rubiales defended his actions as an innocent celebration and common way to congratulate players in football. But critics said it highlighted problems with sexism and double standards in women's football.

What changes were made after the kissing controversy?

The Spanish federation pledged more focus on supporting women's football development following the intense scrutiny over the kissing incident. The episode gave more visibility to ongoing efforts toward equity.