In the aftermath of Spain’s exhilarating victory at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, a major controversy has gripped the football realm. Multiple players from Spain's triumphant women’s football team have put their international careers on hold, demanding the ousting of federation chief, Luis Rubiales.
This dramatic stance emerges from an incident during the World Cup final's celebrations. Rubiales faced widespread backlash for kissing Spain's star player, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips. This move was not only condemned within Spanish quarters but also drew international censure.
What intensified the furore was Rubiales' subsequent actions. Contrary to expectations of a resignation on August 25, Rubiales clung to his position, accusing the media and other officials of "social assassination."
Jenni Hermoso's poignant statement that such actions "should never go unpunished" only magnified the outcry. FIFA, the sport's governing body, didn't remain a mere spectator, initiating disciplinary actions against Rubiales, as noted by Reuters.
Rubiales' attempts at damage control seem to have failed. A video apology, wherein he called his detractors "idiots," only fanned the flames of discontent further.
With the spotlight firmly on the Spanish football administration, two names have come to the fore as potential successors - Pedro Rocha of the Extremadura football federation and Pablo Lozano from the Andalusian federation.
Luis Rubiales' ascent in Spanish football has been noteworthy. After wrapping up his playing career in 2009 with Scotland's Hamilton Academical, following stints at various lower-league clubs in Spain, Rubiales took the administrative route. By 2010, he was at the helm of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE).
His ambition didn't stop there. In 2017, Rubiales announced his candidature for the presidency of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). His entrance was underlined by promises of transparency and modernization, especially after his predecessor, Angel Maria Villar, faced corruption allegations.
However, Rubiales' tenure hasn't been without its shadows. From the abrupt sacking of Julen Lopetegui just two days before the 2018 World Cup’s opener to controversial decisions like relocating the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, his leadership has been a topic of fierce debate.
As the football community awaits the next chapter in this saga, the calls for a leadership change within the Spanish federation have never been louder.
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