Rubiales’ invasive kiss showed no respect to Spain’s World Cup heroes – if he doesn’t resign, Fifa should act

THE most controversial incident of the Women’s World Cup might have been a disputed goal, Lauren James’ red or a penalty award.

But it wasn’t. That distinction went to a kiss on the lips. A simple smacker delivered by an ageing former footballer to the Spanish No 6.

Society seems far more ­bothered, so much so that the over-eager Spanish football association president Luis Rubiales is under serious fire from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

When Rubiales, 46, bear-hugged Jenni Hermoso before kissing her firmly on the lips he unleashed a storm that might end in his dismissal or resignation as president.

He was set to resign yesterday but at a press conference he was defiant, claiming the kiss was ­consensual and mutual and there was “no desire” in it.

But let’s be honest, it was always clear that Rubiales is not the quitting sort.

His first reaction was to describe his detractors as “idiots and stupid people,” adding: “It was a peck between two friends celebrating something.

“It is really all just nonsense, from d***heads and dumbasses.

“These are just losers who did not know how to see the positive side.”

Ah, not an apology then. This came as an afterthought.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023

He added: “We saw it as something natural, normal and not in bad faith, but there are people who have been hurt by this and I have to apologise.”

Half-hearted, yes, but it might save him. Trouble is Luis the Lip went on to show just how he’s something of a sextrovert by also publicly shaking his crotch in front of Spain’s Queen and her 16-year-old daughter. It seems they expected it of the bald moron.

Hermoso, 33, is 5ft 9in tall and Spain’s record scorer, playing for Barcelona.

She is, then, a very experienced professional, well able to look after herself.

Rubiales knows her fairly well, both were former Atletico Madrid players.

But now, the team has turned the tide and say they will refuse to play until he is removed from his position of power.

Let’s be clear, there are many worse things in football than a kiss in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mass protests around the ref, players feigning injury, or diving for a penalty?

But it was not a kiss that was the problem, if it had been on the cheek it would have been more appropriate.

It was HIS kiss that was the problem — the lips are usually reserved for your lover, not a colleague or friend.

His kiss felt invasive and above all was extremely out of place.

For me the kiss was a symbol that there is no respect for the female team, no one would invade the space of a person they respect like this.

He claims anyone who disagrees with his interpretation of his kiss is guilty of “fake feminism”. What would he know about feminism?

About as much as he knows about the meaning of the words “mutual” or “consensual” which is what he claims the kiss was.

Except the recipient of the kiss said: “I did not like it, but what could I do?”

He may not resign but maybe Fifa president Gianni Infantino will call Rubiales to account, as he won’t do it for himself.

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football