During the trophy presentation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in August, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips, which she has stated she did not consent to. Mr Rubiales subsequently refused to resign - he has since been suspended by FIFA (the international governing body of association football), which has launched an investigation into his conduct. After the final of the Women’s Football World Cup was marred by harassment, MEPs quiz the Commission on how to counter violence and discrimination in sports. Extracts from the debate

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

violence against women (T)

FERREIRA, Elisa (S&D, PT, EC)

ESTARÀS FERRAGUT, Rosa (EPP, ES)

FARRENG, Laurence (Renew, FR)

HERZBERGER-FOFANA, Pierrette (Greens/EFA, DE)

GIARRUSSO, Dino (NI, IT)

VÁZQUEZ LÁZARA, Adrián (Renew, ES)

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/72035548/1694169359539_I245606Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

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SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Gender based violence and discrimination have no place in Europe, not on our streets, not in our homes, not in our offices, and not in our sports stadiums. The Commission is a strong defender and promoter of gender equality in all spheres of life, and sports cannot be exception to this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, The Commission is furthermore proposing that managers in the public and private sector are obliged to receive training on how to recognise sexual harassment at work, provide support to victims and respond in adequate manner. This is not limited to physical sexual harassment, but covers all forms, all forms of unwanted verbal, nonverbal or physical contact of a sexual nature.

SOUNDBITE (English), Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Regarding legislative measures, I would like to recall that the harassment based on sex and sexual harassment in the field of employment and occupation and access to goods and services are already prohibited under EU law on gender equality in the area of employment and occupation.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Rosa ESTAR&Agrave;S FERRAGUT (EPP, ES), The enormous support extended to Jenny Hermoso during the world champion was generous and impressive. So thanks subscribe to Jenny and all those who showed solidarity with they've given us a clear lesson. Never again should a women be woman be forced to expect accept such degrading behaviour. We have to fight for equality. Ensure that we have a world of sport free from discrimination and violence.

SOUNDBITE (French), Laurence FARRENG (Renew, FR), Legislation exists, but it is not respected. It is up to us as parliamentarians to apply to put pressure on sporting organisations like FIFA to amplify the voice of victims, to encourage when women's sport to promote education about consent. From a very early age and to harmonise our legal instruments because never again should a man taint a victory by women.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Dino GIARRUSSO (NI, IT), Spanish media did this with a female player. The problem at its root is cultural its. We need to educate young children about for mutual respect, full understanding of sexuality and sexuality of others. However, we also have to address its legal level.

SOUNDBITE (French), Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA, DE), This whole scandal of the non-consensual kiss eclipsed the victory of those female foot players. No, is no. And the president of the commission said this yesterday, We have to increase the presence of women in the governing bodies, but as a sport so that the voice of women players can also be heard. But it's finished. The women's silence. A lack of respect. No, is not. And we have to bring an end to impunity.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Adri&aacute;n V&Aacute;ZQUEZ L&Aacute;ZARA (Renew, ES), The aggression by Mr. Rubiales should be condemned by this House. But also, we also saw how the feminist movement rose up in Spain and throughout Europe, a movement as more and more necessary to say that they are not going to tolerate such acts actions which ended up making Mr. Rubiales resign.