[1/2] FILE PHOTO-Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez receive the World Cup champions - Moncloa Palace, Madrid, Spain - August 22, 2023 President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), has stirred a furore by kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy presentation. Rubiales sacked Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia because the coach had a pre-agreement to join Real Madrid after the tournament. There was further controversy last year when members of the Spanish women's team mutinied against their coach Jorge Vilda. The RFEF backed Vilda who then cut 12 of the 15 players involved from the squad that went on to win the World Cup. Rubiales' actions on World Cup final day, and later defiance, have brought a torrent of public criticism in Spain and elsewhere, but also a backlash in some circles against feminism.

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Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Julen Lopetegui, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Letizia, Sofia, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Irene Montero, Xavi Hernandez, Angeles Bejar, TAD, Trevor Stynes, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, WHO, Hamilton Academical, Association of Spanish, Real Madrid, Spanish, England, Reuters, Sports Council, Administrative, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Scotland, Russia, Australia, Barcelona, Motril