Megan Rapinoe wades into the Spain FA president controversy: 'physical assault'
USWNT star Megan Rapinoe has called out the 'deep level of misogyny and sexism' following the controversial behaviour Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales displayed after the World Cup final on Sunday, which saw him kiss Jenni Hermoso on the mouth and appear to grab his crotch while celebrating Spain's victory.
The 38-year-old travelled Down Under with her national team to defend the side's title at this year's tournament, but were ignominiously knocked out in the round of 16 by Sweden in the country's lowest-ever World Cup finish.
A 0-0 draw at the end of full-time and extra-time sent the tie to penalties, and Rapinoe was one of three US players unable to find the back of goalkeeper Zecira Musovic's goal as the Swedes pulled off the mother of all upsets.
Rapinoe later shared that she did not watch the World Cup final - which saw English hearts broken as Spain defeated the European champions 1-0 - live, watching the match later in the morning due to the US time difference.
But questioned by The Atlantic about her thoughts on Rubiales' actions ahead of the trophy presentation, Rapinoe was unable to hold back her disapproval, calling the kiss 'physical assault'.
'It made me think about how much we are required to endure,' Rapinoe said of the incident. 'Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year (in protest against the ongoing involvement of head coach Jorge Vilda) still aren’t on the team.
'Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.
'There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man (Rubiales) at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.
'What kind of
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