JABAR EXPRESS – Faced with the emerging issue of sexism in the world of sport, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, has finally spoken out on the controversial incident involving the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, who kissed the player Jennifer. Hermoso on the lips. Dujarric wonders about the complexity of an act as trivial as kissing on the lips, while calling on the authorities to respect the rights of female athletes.

In his statement to AFP on Tuesday August 29, Dujarric said: “Of course, one might wonder how difficult it is to refrain from acts like kissing other people on the lips. This highlights the important issue of gender equality that still haunts the sports world.

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This incident happened during the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony, where Spain secured a historic victory. In that animated moment, Rubiales kissed Hermoso, an action that later sparked controversy.

However, Hermoso’s reaction was not in line with Rubiales’ actions. Many parties backed Hermoso when he expressed his unease. In his statement, Hermoso expressed his shock and inability to react when the incident occurred.

The kiss was later refuted as an “impulsive, inappropriate and unauthorized act”.

While Rubiales tried to defend himself believing that it was an act that should not be exaggerated. “Kiss Jenny?” There are idiots around. When two people have a moment of affection without any intention, there is no need to listen to stupidity. We are world champions and I stand by that.”

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Rubiales also insisted the kiss took place in an atmosphere of mutual consent and he refused to resign from his post.

However, the response to this incident did not stop there. Spain’s main criminal court announced on Monday that it had opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual abuse in the incident.

The sanctions have not gone unnoticed. FIFA has granted Rubiales a temporary suspension from his post as president of the Spanish Football Federation since Saturday (26/8). Further sanctions could wait if the Spanish sports court takes the next steps after its August 28 meeting.