Two weeks after his non-consensual kiss with soccer player Jenni Hermoso, Oscar-winning director Woody Allen has recently stepped forward to support Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales.
In an interview with Spanish publication El Mundo, Allen shared that Luis Rubiales should apologize to Hermoso for the kiss. However, the director was against the president losing his job over this incident.
Woody Allen shared, “The kiss on the soccer player was wrong, but it did not burn down a school. He has the duty to apologize and go ahead… They didn’t hide, nor did he kiss her in a dark alley. He wasn’t r*ping her, it was just a kiss and she was a friend. What’s wrong with that?”
— A Hollywood celebrity has come out in support of you Mr Rubiales.
– Yes! Who?
— It’s Woody Allen. pic.twitter.com/hWuiVfYje5— Ben Sixsmith (@BDSixsmith) September 5, 2023
He further went on, “In any case, it is difficult to understand that a person can lose their job and be penalized in that way for kissing someone.”
Spanish player Jenni Hermoso, along with her 22 teammates, has refused to play for the Spanish national team until Luis Rubiales resigns from his post.
FIFA has since started an investigation against the former soccer player and has suspended him from any soccer activities for the initial 90 days of the investigation.
What did Luis Rubiales do—accusations against the RFEF President?
The Spanish FA president sparked a row in the soccer world after he kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her permission following their Women’s World Cup win on August 20.
The unfortunate incident transpired during the World Cup final presentation ceremony. As Jenni Hermoso proceeded to receive her gold medal from the president, he was seen embracing her while congratulating her on the victory.
His next action is what surprised the whole world. After exchanging a brief conversation with the player, he drew her in for a kiss while supporting the back of her head.
🚨💣 A scandal explodes in Spain because the president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed Jenni Hermoso, striker of Spain. [@RMCsport] pic.twitter.com/zdKBBxyRXR
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) August 20, 2023
Since then, Luis Rubiales has received a huge backlash from the supporters of the game, with the fans even calling out the president to resign from his position. Rubiales has, however, defended his actions as an act out of pure happiness after their historic win and even labeled the kiss as a consented kiss between both parties.
Hermoso has, however, denied the former soccer player’s claims that the kiss was consensual between them. She further went on to share how insulted and disheartened she felt by the incident. She also stated that this unfortunate incident has tainted what should have been one of her happiest moments in her professional career.
Both the RFEF and the Spanish Men’s National Team have condemned the Spanish FA president’s unruly act towards the former Barcelona Femini player and have exhibited their solidarity with the player.
