Megan Rapinoe has attacked the “deep level of misogyny and sexism” in the Spanish Football Federation after its president, Luis Rubiales, kissed striker Jenny Hermoso on the lips after her team’s victory in the World Cup final on Sunday.
“On the biggest stage, where she should be celebrating, Jenny should be physically assaulted by this man,” Rapinoe said. In an interview with The Atlantic Posted on Tuesday. “There was another image that indicated this deep level of misogyny and sexism in and in that union [Rubiales] At the final whistle, just grab his crotch. What kind of upside down world are we in?”
Rubiales He has since apologized Because of the kiss, Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, called the incident “unacceptable” and said an apology was not enough.
Rapinoe’s last World Cup ended in disappointment after the United States lost to Sweden on penalties in the Round of 16. This led to celebrations on social media for Donald Trump, with whom Rapinoe has clashed in the past. Rapinoe dismissed Trump’s comments in an interview on Tuesday.
“It’s a bunch of hit and hot words that don’t make any sense or correspond to reality at all,” she said. “I think, in general, the way our team was talked about over the course of the tournament, was faked. It didn’t make sense to me: in 2019, we were too confident, too cocky – and we won everything. And even though we won, we won. “We did it badly, according to our critics… It’s just cheating. There’s no way for us to win, and there’s no way for us to lose.”
Rapinoe said the reaction to the US women’s World Cup defeat was symptomatic of a broader problem in America.
“One thing America is doing really well is backlash. I think there’s a huge backlash against women happening right now,” she added. “I think we’re seeing that with Roe v. Wade flipping. We see this with the transgender argument in sports.
It also denied that the team, many of which do not sing the national anthem before matches, was unpatriotic, a common criticism from the right.
“I will miss being able to represent our country,” she said. “I think, a lot of times, it gets lost, when people talk about me in particular: ‘Oh, you guys, don’t sing the national anthem, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.’ You don’t like America. But we do love America. It’s more James Baldwin style, not a bald eagle on your shoulder.
Rapinoe, known for her prowess from free kicks, missed a penalty in the shootout with Sweden but told the Atlantic she would go to the penalty spot again if given the chance.
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The 38-year-old will retire from the US national team after winning two World Cups and an Olympic champion. She said that after she retires, she will miss the atmosphere of the World Cup.
“The hype around it – when you get into these stadiums, and the feeling that anything can happen any day,” she said. “There is something that brings out the best in players and teams. And if a little piece of fire catches fire, that’s special.”
Meanwhile, the players’ union Fifpro has supported calls for action against Rubiales. A statement issued on Wednesday read: “Fifpro fully endorses the AFE’s statement in calling for immediate action to address the conduct of RFEF President Luis Rubiales at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final and requests an investigation into his actions under FIFA law.” code of conduct.”
“We reiterate that it is deeply regrettable that such a special moment for the Spain national team players taking place in front of a global televised audience must be tainted by the inappropriate behavior of an individual in a role that carries so much responsibility,” the statement added.
“Non-considerate and ill-conceived physical tactics towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context, especially when they are being placed in a position of vulnerability by someone in a position of authority over them in the workplace.”