Luis Rubiales saga: Equality a bigger fight than Spain kiss case, says former Wales striker Harries

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Media caption,

Luis Rubiales: Spanish federation president kisses Hermoso during ceremony

Former Wales striker Gwennan Harries says it will take more than just getting rid of Luis Rubiales to achieve equality in some football associations.

The Spanish Football Federation president has been at the centre of controversy after kissing a player on the lips after the World Cup final.

Jenni Hermoso, the player in question, said it was not consensual, but Rubiales has rejected calls to resign.

"It is deep-rooted within the Spanish system," Harries said.

"It's not just this case, there are so many different cases. This goes on across a lot of different federations.

"I am really hoping the way the football community and the wider community have really pushed and got together, they will continue with that charge to try and make it right."

Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by Fifa, while Spanish prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to sexual assault.

Image source, FAW
Image caption,

Football broadcaster Gwennan Harries made 56 appearances for Wales

Speaking on Elis James' Feast Of Football podcast, Harries asked: "How can somebody like that be in that position in the first place?"

The 35-year-old added: "It's totally wrong, you can't condone it in the slightest."

Amid the protests, more than 80 players have said they will not play for Spain's women's team until Rubiales is removed from his post. He has insisted the kiss was consensual.

He was expected to resign at an extraordinary general assembly, but instead said: "I don't deserve this manhunt."

Harries said: "It says a lot about him, the way that he has reacted. It says a lot about the Spanish FA and the way they've reacted.

"He is the forefront of it, obviously, he thinks he's done no wrong and still won't resign."

Harries added: "It's a bigger fight than just him because there are many more others behind it with different scenarios as well, that's the scary thing.

"I really hope that there's a big change in that FA - not just him going, the manager needs to go, the others that have backed him need to go.

"When you see things like that happen and won't speak out, that silence is killing the rest of the game.

"It's so bad that it has taken winning a World Cup and this incident for the players to feel like they have enough strength for people to come forward.

"It has created a movement in Spain, which hopefully will change not just football, but also for female society."