The Spanish FA resp...
 

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The Spanish FA response to that kiss

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 IHN
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I mean, ignoring just for a second the actual incident, it really is a smashing example of how something that could be sorted with a simple, early statement of contrition and apology can instead, if you really put your mind to it, be turned into a weapons-grade clu$terf__k, isn't it?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 9:37 am
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I suspect he is/was a narcissist and entitled white patriarch of the highest order. Probably spent a lot of his life trampling over people whilst wearing a cheeky smile.

He royally ****ed himself.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 9:40 am
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Pretty much.  I think a proper apology.  " I got carried away with the emotion of the win and went beyond acceptable behaviour, I am sorry" and its all over.

Now - as you say its grown arms and legs.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 9:40 am
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Indeed. Perhaps it can be used as a lesson for anyone like him using the "sorry for those who were offended" apology he offered.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 9:52 am
 IHN
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I think a proper apology. ” I got carried away with the emotion of the win and went beyond acceptable behaviour, I am sorry” and its all over.

Yup, that, with ideally the addition of "I've offered my apology to Ms Hermoso which she has graciously accepted". Done and done. But no, he was in a hole so he cracked out his JCB...


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 9:58 am
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Loving the mother on hunger strike too WTAF 😳


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:09 am
fatmax, funkmasterp, dyna-ti and 3 people reacted
 DT78
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does seem to have turned into a bit of a witch hunt, not sure the pitch forks are really needed

even if he had just made a simple apology I'm not sure it would have been sufficient to stop the press etc... making a massive deal out of it and escalating it


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:11 am
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Seems to have turned into much more of an assessment on Spanish attitudes towards women than just a single example.

Based on the reactions it does seem that the public and general response to him has been justified


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:15 am
johnhe, bax_burner, stumpyjon and 1 people reacted
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DT 78 - its sexual assault.  It is a big deal.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:16 am
funkmasterp, wheelsonfire1, Bunnyhop and 5 people reacted
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There was an interview with a Spanish lady on the radio before the final, and she was saying how important a win for Spain would be in that it would put fully into the spotlight the levels of misogyny in Spanish football and society in general. I don't imagine she thought it would create a spotlight this bright.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:19 am
 DT78
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I didn't say what he did was ok, I just think it is massively being blown out of proportion and doesnt need a witch hunt.  Just my view, and I know it not a popularist one.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:24 am
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I don't think it's popularist to say that women should be treated equally and without prejudice.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:27 am
funkmasterp, dyna-ti, deadslow and 5 people reacted
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 I just think it is massively being blown out of proportion and doesnt need a witch hunt.  Just my view, and I know it not a popularist one.

The act was bad, the follow-up made it much, much worse.  A little humility, contrition and understanding from his side may well have seen this issue go away. By being so 'blokey' about it, he has just made it worse and shone a spotlight on wider issues of misogamy in the game.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:32 am
tjagain reacted
 5lab
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Not saying it's right, however Spain is way behind the UK in terms of general social equality. Turn on the TV to a game show there and it's still someone in a bikini wandering around with the prizes. So if we say they're maybe 25 years "behind" us and imagine what an English manager would have said in a similar situation in 98, it maybe explains why things have turned out as they have


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:37 am
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The fact he came out and said it was consensual as his defense, which she then refuted, is blatantly going to turn this into a witch-hunt. They then threatened to sue her FFS.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:38 am
salad_dodger and tjagain reacted
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What he did was wrong and there's no excusing it.  But, I think everyone and every crime should be treated equally and I'm not sure that's whats happening here.  He does seem to have become the focal point for this type of behaviour in ALL of Spain - that's not really fair.  What choice does he have now, but to try and fight it?  If he doesn't his career, possibly his life is ruined - because of an inappropriate act in the heat of the moment.  Would anyone else, under less public circumstances suffer the same fate?  How about a comparable crime?  What if he'd punched someone - common assault.   A fine, possibly dismissal, but not infamy and ostricisation by society.

Saying all that, I don't really know what's been happening behind the scenes.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:42 am
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Somewhat overshadowed the good news of the women's world Cup and the wonderful football it played and celebrated.  The harm its doing by destroying the promotion of women's football at this opportunity vs the good it is doing* to change attitudes of acceptable behaviour seems to have been forgotten.

*there are different views for some.

<hr />


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:43 am
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but not infamy

Is that not guaranteed if you commit a crime on TV in front of the whole world?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:45 am
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Daffy - its his aggressive defense ie stating it was consensual when it was not, accusing her of lying.  Using his power to force support, threatening to sue her.  He has compounded the offense many times over


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:47 am
funkmasterp, Bunnyhop, jp-t853 and 2 people reacted
 DT78
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it has all the hallmarking of a witch hunt.

sure charge him with serial assault and let the courts decide.

no need for anything more

he did make it worse by his "apology" however I very much doubt any form of apology would placate the frothing mob that is being stoked by the press.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:47 am
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does seem to have turned into a bit of a witch hunt, not sure the pitch forks are really needed

even if he had just made a simple apology I’m not sure it would have been sufficient to stop the press etc… making a massive deal out of it and escalating it

He literally fabricated a statement by Jennifer Hermoso and sent it out to the press, telling them that it was her words.

And when she pointed out that it was fake, he threatened to sue her!!!

This is absolutely pitch fork stuff IMO. As pointed out, the original kiss was a ****up but could have been sorted with a sensible apology, with no 'witch hunt'. But by attempting to destroy a player's reputation with lies and legal threats, he marched straight past the 'Streisand Effect' signpost, and kept going all the way to the '4 Seasons Total Landscaping' podium. He brought it on himself.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 10:55 am
oldnick, funkmasterp, captain_bastard and 10 people reacted
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The Spanish FA has quite a few characters at the top aligned with far-right political parties, including this bean head. This latest incident is part of a bigger picture of ongoing issues the women's team have had with an entrenched organizational patriarchy where football is seen as a "men only" space.

Public opinion is generally on her side but there are still quite a few Spanish with a deeply conservative / Catholic worldview - 15% of the public voted for an anti-abortion party which wants to repeal gender violence laws and close the ministry of equality, so there is still some way to go.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:00 am
funkmasterp reacted
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If he doesn’t his career, possibly his life is ruined – because of an inappropriate act in the heat of the moment.

AND a subsequent libel and defamation!

It wasn't just a kiss, it was followed up with a falsified, defamatory statement, and threats of legal action that could have ruined her financially. That's why everyone's losing the plot over it.

It wasn't in the heat of the moment. It was spread over a whole week.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:01 am
leffeboy, Bunnyhop, salad_dodger and 2 people reacted
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What he did was wrong and there’s no excusing it. But, I think everyone and every crime should be treated equally and I’m not sure that’s whats happening here.

According to a Spanish journalist interviewed on radio 4 this morning he's got loads of form for this kind of thing and this is just the latest in a long list of transgressions


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:06 am
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I don’t really know what’s been happening behind the scenes.

quite a lot- plenty of their best players refused to play unless the manager was dismissed. He wasn’t, so they’re still out in the cold. Looks quite systemic.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:09 am
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Well done to the Spanish for managing to make the FA look comparatively progressive and competent though. 😳


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:16 am
wheelsonfire1, deadslow, BB and 6 people reacted
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This was hung up in downtown Madrid a couple of months ago. Feminism and LGBTQ being "thrown in the trash." It's not just the UK with issues.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 11:55 am
 poly
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I didn’t say what he did was ok, I just think it is massively being blown out of proportion and doesnt need a witch hunt.  Just my view, and I know it not a popularist one.

I'm not sure it is a witch hunt (probably a poor choice of words given we are talking about women being abused!).  His inability to resolve the situation (with a suitable and genuine apology or resignation) is why this has become a big deal.  He made a speech from the stage about why he should stay because he's so great and achieved a win for the women etc.  He believes he is bigger than the scandal - that's Boris, Trump, Andrew Tait, style gaslighting and is exactly why he needs to go.

Personally, the kiss on its own I would just have assumed was a Spanish cultural thing, and I wouldn't actually have been that surprised if he kissed the men's team in the same way - they do things differently out there and it all gets a bit emotional.  BUT the crotch grabbing in the stands was just weird - and probably merits him going just for that.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:00 pm
funkmasterp, Bunnyhop, Andy and 2 people reacted
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the kiss on its own I would just have assumed was a Spanish cultural thing, and I wouldn’t actually have been that surprised if he kissed the men’s team in the same way

When I first saw the headline, it didn't even occur to me that it was a women (I don't follow sport at all so the use of the woman's surname didn't inform me). Having seen Spanish and Italian men kiss each other - on the lips - in a non-sexual way, I did initially wonder what the fuss was about.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:06 pm
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He does seem to have become the focal point for this type of behaviour in ALL of Spain – that’s not really fair

Unfortunately (or not, given his previous reputation) for him, societal change requires big moments, and thst means big casualties. You can't make an example of all misogynistic men in Spain, but you can do so with a high profile individual.

Given Spains recent history and the whole "wolf pack" issues, it needs to be done.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:09 pm
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When I first saw the headline, it didn’t even occur to me that it was a women (I don’t follow sport at all so the use of the woman’s surname didn’t inform me). Having seen Spanish and Italian men kiss each other – on the lips – in a non-sexual way, I did initially wonder what the fuss was about.

Yeah, i just thought it was the press making something out of nothing, as you say, it's felt like a normal thing to do, male or female, but more is coming to light now, unfortunately it's now grown into a battleground, which will never end well for either side involved, as it's now being discussed in government, foreign countries, etc, you can almost see them circling the wagons for this one.

As also stated, Spain isn't the most progressive country when it comes to this stuff, or racism as we've seen countless times over the years, or corruption, or religion, and on and on.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:15 pm
 poly
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What he did was wrong and there’s no excusing it.  But, I think everyone and every crime should be treated equally and I’m not sure that’s whats happening here.  He does seem to have become the focal point for this type of behaviour in ALL of Spain – that’s not really fair.

If you are a high profile person, act badly in public and then try to defend yourself then I think it is entirely fair if you become the poster guy for all people who act badly and show no remorse.

What choice does he have now, but to try and fight it?

If he doesn’t his career, possibly his life is ruined – because of an inappropriate act in the heat of the moment.

Does your moral compass apply to all professions.  A doctor making an inappropriate comment to a patient in a state of undress - what choice does he have but to fight it?  A teacher who buys alcohol for pupils on a school trip - no real harm done - what choice but to fight it?  a police officer found in possession of drugs - what choice but to fight it?  An accountant who screws up his taxes - what choice but to fight it?  Surely what we want is people to admit their mistakes even if it ends their career.  The damage will be much larger if they fight genuine claims, and whilst many admit a mistake and "learn" from it they take a backward step but long term isn't world-ending.  When you won't admit your error the consequences really should be much greater than those who do.

Would anyone else, under less public circumstances suffer the same fate?

I'm pretty certain if one of my female staff came back with a contract win we had spent 4 years working on and I grabbed her and kissed her like that I'd have some difficult explaining to do.  If I denied it and made up excuses and the CCTV showed I was bullshitting I'd expect to be thrown under the bus.  I don't work in a high profile role in an organisation that should have been showing how equality works for the better.

How about a comparable crime?  What if he’d punched someone – common assault.   A fine, possibly dismissal, but not infamy and ostricisation by society.

If they had lost and he'd punched the captain of the opposition team, I'd expect he was out of a job?  if he stood on a platform a few days later and said "you can't sack me I am too great, the other guy expected this to happen, its a demonstration of the passion in our sport" I'd expect he never worked in football again!

Frankly, if you think that assaulting people and denying it, is not so bad and kissing women without their agreement and making up stuff to cover your tracks should have minimal consequences then you probably want to look in the mirror.  Is this how you behave?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:23 pm
funkmasterp, Bunnyhop, MoreCashThanDash and 3 people reacted
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It's perfectly normal to kiss on both cheeks as a greeting in Spain. But that's more a social thing, you wouldn't go to work and kiss you boss on the cheek...

Well, maybe if you work for the mafia!

I'm not for a second saying it was appropriate to plant one on her lips but I agree with some of the above comments that an apology such as I'm very sorry I got caught up in the moment... Would have been the end of it.

As often it's the attitude and the doubling down after the event that's a lot more concerning /telling and damaging.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:24 pm
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Pretty much.  I think a proper apology.  ” I got carried away with the emotion of the win and went beyond acceptable behaviour, I am sorry” and its all over.

Now – as you say its grown arms and legs

pretty much this. Unacceptable behavior, made multiple times worse by subsequent actions. Let’s face it, it’s only going to end one way now, he’s living in cloud cookoo land if he thinks he’s keeping his job after this.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:32 pm
doris5000 reacted
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He'll lose his job, then he'll be the victim for the right wingers who will use this in underhanded arguments against everything they don't like, same as over here with the likes of Farage.

Women's football is at a real decision point just now, and this whole issue is just going to cause more bitterness and arguments.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:41 pm
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Does your moral compass apply to all professions.

Ah - so I lack morals?  None of those things are happening in the public spotlight.  I was considering more along the lines of where a manager/player lashes out in football - thus heat of the moment assault, but they're not vilified forever for it.  Heck, Zidane went on to win the Golden Boot, be a national hero of France and be a football manager after publicly headbutting someone in the chest - it wasn't his first time either.

I’m pretty certain if one of my female staff came back with a contract win we had spent 4 years working on and I grabbed her and kissed her like that I’d have some difficult explaining to do.

Whilst equally inappropriate, it's hardly the same circumstances, is it?

My point was more about trying people in the court of public opinion rather than on the specifics of their case and in particular about the stigma that can be associated with high profile cases involving high profile people who have not been proven to have done anything wrong, but which are damaged by it regardless of any outcome.  I'm thinking Cliff Richard / Yewtree.

Regardless of the above - I wasn't aware of his fabricated statement, just his assertions which state she picked him up (which she did - the photo's show this) and that he then kissed her - or did he kiss her first?  -  I knew nothing about a supposed conversation.  I also didn't know he had past form for this type of behaviour.  But why, then would the RSFA go to bat for him if it was so patently false and he has history?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 12:59 pm
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pretty much this. Unacceptable behavior, made multiple times worse by subsequent actions. Let’s face it, it’s only going to end one way now, he’s living in cloud cookoo land if he thinks he’s keeping his job after this.

but wont someone think of his poor Mum!!


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:07 pm
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why, then would the RSFA go to bat for him if it was so patently false?

Indeed. Why DID the Spanish FA risk everything to back him up? Why did they gloss over not just the incident itself, but also the video where he said everyone who was offended 'was an idiot'? Why DID they release a fabricated statement, supposedly from the player, which was in fact a bunch of lies? Even the Spanish prime minister called for him to go, but they are backing him to the hilt.

And why did they then go nuclear and ask to be removed from the Champions League etc?? They really have risked everything here. It's spectacular.

Surely it would have been much more sensible to suspend or fire him, or at least announce some investigation and say you can't possibly comment while there's an investigation, and then quietly let him back in once it blows over.

What's he got on them?  It all smells really really fishy.

Which is why it has become much more of a story than just 'the heat of the moment'.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:13 pm
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plenty of their best players refused to play unless the manager was dismissed. He wasn’t, so they’re still out in the cold.

Probably worth pointing out, Those 15 players have stated categorically that the identical emails they sent last year to the Spanish FA did not contain any call for the dismissal of Vilda, it was the Spanish FA that claimed they were demanding it. A good example tho of how their FA have continuously twisted words to suite them, most recently Hermoso's. The players also sent the emails privately, but their FA chose to make it public, presumably to try and discredit them and basically saying they weren't welcome back until they saw the error of their ways and begged for forgiveness. contrast the French FA who immediately instigated change, when the core players went on strike a few months ago.

On the subject of Vilda, I listened to a podcast a few weeks ago where a Spanish Journo explained what had gone on in camp during the Euros last year and it was gobsmacking, basically they were treated like children on a school trip (Jenni Hermoso is 33).


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:20 pm
doris5000 reacted
 Olly
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theres a very fine line between a heat of the moment over reaction, and an opportunistic perv taking advantage of the situation.

The difference is now that the line is recognised as fine, people known that its not appropriate, and therefore stay well behind the line as to avoid any confusion.
ie: Im so happy i could kiss you, but im not going to because it might be misconstrued.

Leaving the opportunistic pervs toeing the line seeing what they can get away with and pass off as heat of the moment passions.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:22 pm
doris5000 reacted
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Women’s football is at a real decision point just now, and this whole issue is just going to cause more bitterness and arguments.

Or a murky pit of sexism and mysogeny is going to be cleaned up.  a huge boost for womens football if parents think their kids will be safer now


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:22 pm
oldnick, funkmasterp, Bunnyhop and 5 people reacted
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I think you need to watch some long versions of the vid and read around the topic before futher winding people up and making more of a fool of yourself, Daffy.

Heck, Zidane went on to win the Golden Boot, be a national hero of France and be a football manager after publicly headbutting someone in the chest – it wasn’t his first time either.

Not even a little bit comparable, two males, no sexual assault element. A better comparison would be Chirac kissing Barthes on the head, but again two males and not on the lips.

I'm really enjoying the scandal, revelling in the males showing what complete machist, manipulating arses they are and being told NO, STOP. I was delighted when Spain won and the level of outrage is great for Spanish women. I've worked in Spain and I'm a regular visitor, the attitudes to women made me uncomfortable and I'm male.

I watched the news whenever we were in a hotel on a recent trip to Spain and aware that domestic violence and the killing of women is a major issue that the country is dealing with. In that context this sexual assault in front of millions around the world was a provocation too far. The arse deserves all he gets and more, and the more macho, misogynist, sexists that go down with him the better.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:43 pm
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The whole governing body appears to be unhinged and have no grasp on reality. When all the women players said they would be unavailable for the national team until this was resolved correctly, it claimed that they had an 'obligation' to play, as if they were some kind of indentured slaves!

Hopefully the players will be able to look back on this episode one day with some satisfaction, because it played a part in helping bring Spanish football out of its sexist stone age.

Has anyone from the men's team piped up yet?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:47 pm
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theres a very fine line between a heat of the moment over reaction, and an opportunistic perv taking advantage of the situation.

One of the newspapers ran an article over the weekend with multiple evidenced incidents of him “handling” or kissing female sports or entertainment personalities.  Seems he is well know for his cheap thrills based on his privileged position and had prior for citing “celebration” as an excuse.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:47 pm
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Has anyone from the men’s team piped up yet?

Yes - the coach has as have all the regional federation presidents


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:52 pm
 MSP
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Has anyone from the men’s team piped up yet?

A few have, but maybe this is an issue that doesn't need white knight sexism and mansplaining.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:53 pm
 poly
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<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I was considering more along the lines of where a manager/player lashes out in football – thus heat of the moment assault, but they’re not vilified forever for it.  </span>

I'm not convinced the consequences for players who behave like neanderthals shouldn't be worse too.  Not necessarily career ending - but increasingly our courts take into account the youth of offenders and the ability to rehabilitate/change - a 19yr old who goes OTT about losing a tackle and a 50 yr old who is thrusting his hips whilst clutching his balls in the stands and then shortly after is placing long unwanted kisses on his team is not simply a moment of immaturity.

Whilst equally inappropriate, it’s hardly the same circumstances, is it?

No I wouldnt be doing it in front of millions of people and setting an example to the nation.  I also suspect I earn quite a bit less than he does.  I think it is reasonable to expect well-paid high profile people to behave like decent human beings.

My point was more about trying people in the court of public opinion rather than on the specifics of their case and in particular about the stigma that can be associated with high profile cases involving high profile people who have not been proven to have done anything wrong, but which are damaged by it regardless of any outcome.  I’m thinking Cliff Richard / Yewtree.

The world's media were watching.  I'm not quite sure what proof you want to establish what he did.  Its about as far from a Sir Cliff story as you can get.  FWIW I am pretty strongly in the "names of accused should not normally be publicly reported" camp - but that doesn't mean people who do stupid stuff in public shouldn't be reported about.    At the end of the day all football players, managers, chairmen, presidents etc are judged on the 'court of public opinion' for their performance on and off the pitch.

But why, then would the RSFA go to bat for him if it was so patently false and he has history?

He's the president of the RSFA.  Presumably the rest of the board like the status quo, and totally misjudged the sentiment in Spain, and among female players.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 1:53 pm
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I think you need to watch some long versions of the vid and read around the topic before futher winding people up and making more of a fool of yourself, Daffy.

How am I "winding people up"?  In my first post I said it was inappropriate, in my first post I said I didn't know the back story or all the details, in my second post i questioned why RSFA had supported him - As usual, your're quick to insult and belittle people expressing an opinion and seeking answers - you're a real piece of work, "edukator".

Not even a little bit comparable, two males, no sexual assault element. A better comparison would be Chirac kissing Barthes on the head, but again two males and not on the lips.

My EXACT point was that there was no sexual assault in the former case.  Both sexual and common assault have similar sentencing, both of the above occurred in similar, highly emotional, highly public circumstances, my point was that simply because this IS sexual assault and in public that it's being treated far differently despite the law.  Admittedly, I don't know Spanish law, just UK law.

Anyway - since I'm apparently just "winding people up", I'll leave.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:00 pm
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He’s the president of the RSFA. Presumably the rest of the board like the status quo, and totally misjudged the sentiment in Spain, and among female players.

When he stated - not once but 5 times - in the most macho, confrontational manner imaginable, that he would not resign, he was loudly applauded by them all

That tells you everything you need to know about who's side they're on


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:07 pm
funkmasterp reacted
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FWIW - I'm not arguing what he did was right - at no point have I said that in any way.

What I'm saying is that the consequences for someone in the limelight on a socially charged topic are going to be far more severe than, for example, if you'd kissed a colleague in emotional circumstances.  Even you are saying that they should be held to higher standards, because of how much they earn?  Why?  Why is the law, not simply the law?  Why must some pay more or be seen to fall further?

I'm not talking about this Spanish buffoon specifically, but in general.

This chap will now have to answer for other things, but what I'm saying is, at the start, when (as almost everyone in this thread seems to agree) he could've simply apologised and made good, is his original crime is now seen as so horrendous, so nationally appalling and somehow the embodiment of the rot in the system?  I'm genuinely asking how we got to this point?  If it's this bad now, surely it was this bad at the start?  How is one individual (at least publicly) responsible for all of it?  Is it simply because he was first, or because of the compounding aspects of the thing?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:08 pm
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What I’m saying is that the consequences for someone in the limelight on a socially charged topic are going to be far more severe than, for example, if you’d kissed a colleague in emotional circumstances.

I would have been instantly sacked and quite possibly lost my registration.  I think most folk would


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:14 pm
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A few have, but maybe this is an issue that doesn’t need white knight sexism and mansplaining.

Why are we even talking about it then? 🙂

More a question of solidarity really, otherwise the dinosaurs in the Spanish federation will continue to believe that they can carry on this way.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:15 pm
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What I’m saying is that the consequences for someone in the limelight on a socially charged topic are going to be far more severe than, for example, if you’d kissed a colleague in emotional circumstances.

What do you think the consequences would be, if you grabbed a colleague in the office and kissed her full on the lips, in front of everyone else?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:18 pm
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I would have been instantly sacked and quite possibly lost my registration.  I think most folk would

Agreed and you'd probably be on the sex offenders register for 2 years, but that's where it would likely end.  You'd do your time and pay for your crime, but is that true for someone in a more public position?  Does the period ever end?  Could you even get another job?  Is this just a consequence of being famous?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:19 pm
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I would lose my registration and never work as a nurse again.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:22 pm
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Did anybody here actually watch the game and the ending?

He seemed to kiss and go way OTT with every Spanish player, so much so that I was thinking that it was very cringe worthy and wondering how he could possibly think his actions were normal.

What got me was when he picked the women up and started throwing them around.

Getting carried away with the circumstances is one thing but he crossed the line at least 10 times imho.

To do so without much thought to his actions suggests he thought nothing wrong of it - a judgement the majority of those watching seemingly don't share.

Personally, I don't like the notion that an apology at the time would have sufficed. He may have got carried away with the situation but, he behaved naturally (to him), which suggests a deeper rooted problem of acceptability.

Don't know where I'm going with this tbh , just thought his actions were awful and not at all professional or respectful.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:22 pm
funkmasterp, twistedpencil, gallowayboy and 2 people reacted
 ctk
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Agreed twonks, it was yuck. It should be the whole team complaining. Imagine Prince William doing it!


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:33 pm
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As is always the way, the media and public frothing simply increases the fervour. It becomes less about the ladies who were accosted by this throbber and what they might want done, but more about everyone else's opinion on it.

It becomes a witch hunt the minute people see an opportunity to gain from it, be that politically, reputationally, ideologically or financially.

At this point the ladies are the last point of concern for most driving the conversation. And they seem to be the only ones in the whole debacle this is turning into acting with any class and perspective.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:39 pm
funkmasterp, Daffy and IHN reacted
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"I'm sorry, I made a mistake." doesn't translate into Spanish. It's not part of the culture here, especially if you're a man. Very proud people.

Lie, obfuscate, blame the other guy, double down, and then, if all else fails, hide behind your mother is the order of the day.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/luis-rubiales-mother-hunger-strike-church-b2401011.html


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:44 pm
 IHN
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Imagine Prince William doing it!

Well he couldn't have, cos he wasn't there, and he's the President of the FA FFS. You can bet your life he'd have been there if the men's team was in the final. Sexism in football is not just a Spanish problem.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:44 pm
twistedpencil, edd and ctk reacted
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Personally, I don’t like the notion that an apology at the time would have sufficed.

I would say it depends on what the womens team thought about it. I would have expected even if let off with an apology it would be accompanied with a written warning/final chance.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:45 pm
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I don't necessarily think an apology would or should have sufficed - just that it would have stopped all the coverage and allowed him to continue.  Not that this would be right


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 2:58 pm
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IHN
Imagine Prince William doing it!
Well he couldn’t have, cos he wasn’t there, and he’s the President of the FA FFS. You can bet your life he’d have been there if the men’s team was in the final. Sexism in football is not just a Spanish problem.

Prior to this year I don't think it would ever have even come up in PW's "potential upcoming events" list.  He was probably on holiday and/or had other things to do.  Not saying the "job" isn't flexible and they probably should have been there but I can see why they wouldn't. Next time I'm sure it'll be different.

Back to the subject; I had no idea that Spain had such a deep seated problem, sounds like they're 20 years behind, well, us? I'm never quite sure where we stand at any given minute as things change but he definitely broke rule 1 in the first place and has gone full BoJo since.  Actually that comparison shines a light on us that we can let such people get away with some things and not others depending on the "mood" of the media.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:21 pm
 wbo
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It needs to be pointed out again that this isn't an isolated one off case, and there's been an ongoing problem for some years with how the womens team are treated .

So if you want an analogy , not only have you kissed a colleague on the lips without asking, you've humiliated them in meetings for a few years, treated them like halfwits and sacked anyone who won't let you feel them up..  Oddly enough they don't have too much sympathy even if your mum still loves you.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:22 pm
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Did anybody here actually watch the game and the ending?

He seemed to kiss and go way OTT with every Spanish player, so much so that I was thinking that it was very cringe worthy and wondering how he could possibly think his actions were normal.

Wasn't just the players, the woman in the red suit got guided around by his hands like a pet.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:28 pm
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Prior to this year I don’t think it would ever have even come up in PW’s “potential upcoming events” list.

Err, it bloody well should have been. Did you miss us winning the Euro's last year and being one of the favourites for a while? Not to mention reaching multiple tournament semi-finals over the last decade.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:29 pm
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I wasn't aware of his previous form for this so I take back what I said earlier.

Sounds more the the straw that broke the camels back and I agree he should be made an example of now.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:43 pm
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Or a murky pit of sexism and mysogeny is going to be cleaned up.  a huge boost for womens football if parents think their kids will be safer now

Sounds good, if Spain hasn't had a huge issue with racism over and over again, and corruption over and over again, like the previous post i made, i can't see them doing much in the long run, there may be short term hits, but i doubt longer term much will be done, especially the more right Spain goes, it'll only feed their arguments over the next few years.

It just belittles all the work the women's game has done in the last few years, this one incident has people talking more about it than the actual competition, could you ever imagine that happening in the men's game?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 3:46 pm
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How you think exposing sexism and misogyny works to the detriment of the womens game is a bad thing and why you do not place the blame for the distraction firmly where it lies with the groper is beyond me

should she have just been a compliant little woman and accepted being assaulted?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:02 pm
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i can’t see them doing much in the long run

I've been in and out of Spain for 40 years and I've seen a slow change for the better, the same goes for the other places I spend time, France and Germany. Even the UK 🙂 Even this forum. 😉

Spain was doing pretty well on the feminicides with specific legislation and a significant decline to below UK figures. Then the Covid period was something of a disaster (France too) and the media have responded. The kiss came at just the right or wrong time.

Anyhow, the highlights without the kiss for anyone who likes good football:


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:07 pm
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How you think exposing sexism and misogyny works to the detriment of the womens game is a bad thing and why you do not place the blame for the distraction firmly where it lies with the groper is beyond me

should she have just been a compliant little woman and accepted being assaulted?

I didn't say any of that, as per my earlier post and last post, you're just sensationalising responses now, as stated for the third time now, Spain has had historical issues with many things, from racism, through to sexism, the same outcome happens, it gets lots of press, a sacrifice is provided, then we're back at the same problem, all i'm stating is realism for the way it'll be treated, especially now Spain is veering towards the right wing.

Rubiales and Vilda will pretty much be out of jobs, but i doubt the boys club will keep them out in the cold for long, the Spanish players have basically had their career defining moment marginalised and made pretty much worthless now, a moment that should have grown the women's game in Spain (and elsewhere) may now do the opposite, and that's before any of the usual retributions happen.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:13 pm
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Its not just a Spanish thing. Remember that it wasn't too long back that the head of FIFA was saying that the way to make the women's game more popular was for them to play in the same kit as the beach volleyball. When that corrupt dinosaur was finally dislodged, kicking and screaming, from the top of the games governing body, he was replaced by this liberal visionary with his inclusive, progressive views....

Ladies and gentlemen, the head of world football. Pick the bones out of that twoddle


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:28 pm
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If anyone is even remotely surprised by any of this, then I'd suggest watching FIFA Uncovered on Netflix. Its a staggering documentary revealing the absolutely corrupt carry-on at the top of the international game. A fish rots from the head down. This kind of thing is neither here nor there when it comes to the scandals in the organisations involved in international football. Its no wonder this guy thinks he's untouchable. They all do. And they are ALL stale, pale and male...


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:34 pm
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Spain has had historical issues with many things, from racism, through to sexism, the same outcome happens, it gets lots of press, a sacrifice is provided, then we’re back at the same problem, all i’m stating is realism for the way it’ll be treated, especially now Spain is veering towards the right wing.

Now replace the word "Spain" with "England" and see how it reads, perfectly. Further right than Rishi? Nope.

Your post is borderline racist, argee, sure there are historical issues, both Spain and Britain are male dominated post-colonial societies but to say nothing has changed and nothing will change (when in reality it has and is) is a slur. The Spanish are as capable of change as you are.

Thinking about it only Spain is post-colonial, Britain still has 14 overseas territories including Gibralta.

Take a trip to Spain, visit the country (edit: not just a British gheto in Torremolinos), meet the people, you might just find it's more advanced than where you come from in many repsects.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:38 pm
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https://twitter.com/marisabelrr1/status/1695136611883725191?s=46&t=-aGBgTY3GsGzh4xLBsB6ZA

“Grandma, tell me about how your team won the World Cup,” read an illustration posted on social media by La Roja’s Misa Rodríguez on Friday. The grandmother answers: “We didn’t just win the World Cup, little one. We won so much more.”

Here’s hoping.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:46 pm
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Yes, you have to be pretty careful when stereotyping an entire nation.

I know some lovely Spaniards as well as some total throbbers.

Same as any other demographic really.

They've recently really tightened up the laws around dog ownership for example.

Also getting your car 'MOT'd'..

The testing centers are all council /government run and have vo vested interest in failing your car and selling you some parts you don't need.

That's just an example of some things they do a lot better than the UK or are working to do better.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 4:51 pm
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If he doesn’t his career, possibly his life is ruined – because of an inappropriate act in the heat of the moment.

Isn't making quick decisions in the heat of the moment what football is all about? Sometimes you're Maradona, sometimes you're Gareth Southgate...

But the bigger problem with this "people get cancelled for one mistake these days" argument is that it just doesn't happen for these guys. It's never just one mistake, and they don't get cancelled. Weinstein was at it for 20 years - Crispin Odey for longer - and then it needed 500 cross-corroborated eyewitnesses and audio tape to get them. Even here the guy was trying to wiggle out of it even though literally the whole things is on video!!!

it has all the hallmarking of a witch hunt.

Do you know what a witch hunt is?


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 6:09 pm
salad_dodger reacted
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Now replace the word “Spain” with “England” and see how it reads, perfectly. Further right than Rishi? Nope.

Your post is borderline racist, argee, sure there are historical issues, both Spain and Britain are male dominated post-colonial societies but to say nothing has changed and nothing will change (when in reality it has and is) is a slur. The Spanish are as capable of change as you are.

What are you on about, i'm on about their football and their federation, every season there is at least one horrific racist incident in Spain, there's the usual 'punishment', then nothing done until the next big incident, you hear it and see it at their games on TV, for all their failings, the English federation come down a hell of a lot harder, and their clubs as well.


 
Posted : 29/08/2023 6:48 pm
salad_dodger reacted
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