Inez Callaux-Diaz (鈥24) was watching the Spanish women鈥檚 soccer team celebrate their win against England in the World Cup final Aug. 20 when she noticed something seemed wrong.
鈥淎s soon as I saw it on TV, I knew something was amiss,鈥 Caillaux-Diaz said. 鈥淢inutes later, my social media was flooded with the news.鈥
President of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso as the team received their medals, according to, and the Spanish Football Federation fired Spain鈥檚 La Roja head coach Jorge Vilda Sept. 5.
According to , temporary president Pedro Rocha announced an effort to renew women鈥檚 soccer, however, no specific reason was given for the dismissal.
HS World Languages Teacher Victoria Hamadache said she was unsure what to make of the incident at first, acknowledging different levels of affection in Spanish cultural norms, and wondered how the British public would react to a similar scenario.
鈥淗ad this been the Lionesses in England, I believe the reaction would have been far more severe,鈥 Hamadache said. 鈥淲e’re not a nation known for frequent hugging and kissing.鈥
[The Spanish men’s and women’s team] are condemning this incident. Hopefully, this will strengthen the sport in the long run.
— Ryan Cushman ('24)
Social media erupted with accusations of sexual assault against Rubiales. The day after the incident, Rubiales apologized according to However, according to , when news of the kiss spread and criticism started to arise, Rubiales said that Hermoso had moved closer to him, suggesting the kiss was warranted.
The Guardian reported players worldwide have spoken out against the incident, supporting Hermoso with the hashtag 鈥#SeAcab貌,鈥 meaning 鈥渋t鈥檚 over鈥 in Spanish.
Ryan Cushman (鈥24) said the support from both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams for Rubiales’ removal demonstrates a unity forming within the sport.
鈥淭here’s been strong solidarity between the Spanish men’s and women’s teams,鈥 Cushman said. 鈥淏oth are condemning this incident. Hopefully, this will strengthen the sport in the long run.鈥
Caillaux-Diaz said it was unfortunate that the team’s achievement had been overshadowed by the incident.
鈥淭he Spanish team performed admirably and made the country proud,鈥 Caillaux-Diaz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sad that this moment of celebration is tainted by the controversy.鈥
Sophie Singer (鈥25) said Rubiales breached professional boundaries.
鈥淚t was unsettling,鈥 Singer said. 鈥淗is role is to represent the Spanish Football Federation, not to take liberties with the players.鈥