Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has slammed Luis Rubiales' behaviour at the Women's World Cup Final and has called on the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to "make the right decision" in regards to his future.
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony at Stadium Australia after Spain's 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, with the CF Pachuca striker later admitting she "did not enjoy it". A further video was then circulated on social media of the president telling the Spanish dressing room that he would "marry" Hermoso in Ibiza.
The incidents sparked widespread outrage, with a host of notable sporting and cultural figures - including Spain's equalities minister Irene Montero and sports minister Miquel Iceta - condemning Rubiales' actions. And Ancelotti has become the latest big name to weigh in on the incident, although he refused to be drawn on whether Rubiales should resign.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Celta Vigo, Ancelotti said: "Luis Rubiales? This is a sensitive topic. I didn't like what we saw. This is not good behaviour for a president."
He added: "I think that a person's behaviour does not affect me. I have very clear ideas of how I have to behave and I am perfectly aware that being the Real Madrid coach I have a responsibility. I'll take what I have to do. I don't know if he's going to resign. There are competent bodies and I hope they make the right decision."
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Ancelotti's words come after Hermoso herself spoke out on the incident. In a statement on Wednesday, Hermoso said: "My FUTPRO union, in coordination with my TMJ agency, are taking charge of defending my interests and being the communication channel on this matter."
FUTPRO have subsequently expressed, as reported by Relevo, that they are demanding that the kiss from Rubiales "does not go unpunished." They are calling on the Spanish FA to implement "the necessary protocols" and adopt "exemplary measures." The FA’s official protocol classifies 'forced kisses' as "unacceptable conduct with immediate consequences."
Jenni Hermoso was kissed on her lips by Spain FA president Luis Rubiales (RTVE)Rubiales had initially dismissed the backlash to his behaviour as "idiocy", however, he later reneged on his bullish stance and apologised for his actions.
"Here (in the stadium) it was something natural, normal – so we did not understand the commotion," Rubiales said in a statement on Monday. "There was no bad faith. Elsewhere, it seems that an uproar has occurred, of course, if there are people who have felt damaged by this I have to apologise.
"There is no other choice other than learning from this and understanding that when you are president of an institution as important as the Spanish Federation you have to be more careful in procedure and these type of issues."
The RFEF has now called an Extraordinary General Assembly for 1 September to discuss "the latest events that occurred during the award ceremony of the Women's World Cup."
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