The Unsolicited Women’s World Cup Kiss

The finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup took place last Sunday, in which Spain defeated England 1-0, in a hard-fought match.

However, what we’re going to be discussing today is an incident that took place after the match. President of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, has been on the receiving end of criticism after he kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips, following the Spanish team’s victory. The kiss was delivered on stage during the official post-match ceremony.

On a live stream afterwards, Jenni Hermoso said that she “didn’t like it.” Later, she appeared to have changed her stance, calling it a “natural show of affection.”

Spanish Socialist politician Adrián Barbón characterised it as an “absolute lack of respect and an abuse that neither the moment, nor the euphoria, nor the joy justifies.”

We speak to Lilian Kok, Programme Manager, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) about consent and what that means when there’s an imbalance in power dynamics. 

Image Credit: Kim Price/CSM/Shutterstock