The controversy surrounding Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has not been enough for him to resign. The manager was the protagonist of two incidents that took place last Sunday during the celebration of Spain's triumph in the Women's World Cup. Rubiales kissed soccer player Jenni Hermoso without consent and ostensibly touched her crotch in the presence of Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofía.
This behavior, completely inappropriate and disrespectful, was the central theme of Así es la vida, where Sandra Barneda and other gatherings discussed Rubiales and whether she refused to resign, which has caused a great wave of indignation in the country.
Antonio Montero surprised by defending Rubiales as a defender of women's rights in soccer. He noted that although the president displayed "absurd" behavior, he had made progress in incorporating women into leadership positions.
However, César Muñoz, co-host of the program, countered the journalist. According to Muñoz, the true defenders of women's rights in sport are the athletes themselves, in this case the world champions, and not an institutional figure that can fall into such controversial behavior.
Sandra Barneda also questioned the veracity of Rubiales' commitment to gender equality. "How many CEO's of large companies, in their first speech, say that they will incorporate women and how many do?" she asked, suggesting that such promises are often more rhetorical than real.
"The thing is not between women and men, it is about someone touching their crotch in front of the Queen, kissing one of the players and carrying her on their shoulders. There are things that go from education, manners and that there is things that cannot be done, but not even when there are no cameras," he concluded.
