Yes, we've had our #MeToo moment but the problem's wider than on the pitch

WHEN Luis Rubiales grabbed Jenni Hermoso and planted a kiss on her lips during Spain's World Cup celebrations, my jaw dropped in shock and horror.

- Claire Rafferty

I've heard people argue that taken in isolation the kiss was an emotional response in the heat of the moment but I don't buy it, particularly given the context of the power struggle between the Spain players and their federation (RFEF). The fact that Rubiales, the federation president, felt he could touch Jenni, grab her and kiss her in that way spoke volumes. He needs to go. He needs to be sacked.

The response from Rubiales and the federation has been both shocking and unsurprising. RFEF has long silenced the Spain squad, removing power and autonomy from the play s and hand it to Jorge Vilda, the coach.

It was telling to see the squad refusing to celebrate with him or his coaching staff on the pitch in Sydney, not for the first time, and they deserve enormous credit for beating the Lionesses to win a first World Cup in such difficult circumstances.

The way RFEF have attempted to gag and gaslight Hermoso in the last 10 days is a dynamic I have seen repeatedly in football. Too often, women in the game can't have an opinion. You have to follow the crowd and if you step out of line, you're at risk. It's surprisingly common and often comes down to the way organisations are governed from the top down.

I've been silenced quite a few times in my career literally felt unable to say how I felt for fear of being ostracised.