Kiss Gate: Natalie Portman supports the female soccer star who got an unwanted smacker

The Spanish women's soccer team won the World Cup but has been in the midst of a controversy ever since. The whole world has an opinion about the kiss that Spanish soccer director Luis Rubiales planted on the lips of one of the players, Jenni Hermoso, after her team won the final. Even Hollywood star Natalie Portman has spoken out about the incident.

It was clear to see for millions of viewers when the Spanish women's soccer team picked up their gold medals for the first time in history: The director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation took Jenni Hermoso's head in his hands and pressed a kiss on her lips.

Afterward, Jenni Hermoso claimed she didn't like it, but Luis Rubiales insisted it was a 'consensual' kiss. And it was not the first time he inappropriately touched a female player. Grabbing them, hugging them tightly, and lifting them up was his ammo during the entire tournament.

In the week after the infamous kiss, Spanish athletes, media, and politicians have called for Rubiales' resignation. The General Sports Council has since filed multiple complaints against the president with the Spanish Administrative Court of Sports (TAD).

His response, however, has been a stern insistence that he will not step down.

Colleagues also take a stand in favor of Jenni Hermoso. American soccer heroine Megan Rapinoe (photo) spoke out against the "misogyny and sexism of the Spanish Federation."

The Spanish World Champions, meanwhile, have announced that they refuse to play any more matches until the controversial soccer boss is gone.

Natalie Portman has followed the case and spoken out about the incident. Re-posting the New York Times article about the players' demand for Rubiales' resignation, the actress says: "I stand with Jenni Hermoso #SEACABO."

The hashtag can be translated as "It stops here" or "It's over." The English equivalent could be "Time's Up" - a reference to the movement holding men accountable for inappropriate behavior and addressing inequality on the work floor.

As Time magazine recalls, the 'Time's Up' movement "was started by a group of over 300 women in Hollywood, with high-profile leaders including Reese Witherspoon [image], Natalie Portman and Shonda Rimes."

Jenni Hermoso has seen Natalie Portman's message and shared it on her social media as a way of thanking the Hollywood star for her support.

Natalie Portman is not just known for her acting talent. She's also drawn attention for her commitment to several good causes.

In 2020, Natalie Portman founded the Angel City FC women's football team to raise awareness of equal pay in sports and to ensure that women's football is valued in the same way as men's football.

Other great stars such as Serena Williams and Christina Aguilera joined Portman's cause, so it should not surprise us that big names in the entertainment industry are speaking out in favor of the Spanish player.

In the article Natalie Portman shared, the international soccer association FIFA has also endorsed the Spanish women's team's demand. Its Disciplinary Committee 'provisionally suspended' Luis Rubiales for 90 days and favors his resignation.

Meanwhile, in Spain, the mother of Luis Rubiales (left on the photo) has entered the discussion in her own unique way: She is on hunger strike in a church, claiming that she won't eat until the Soccer Federation and the media stop accusing and harassing her son.

Rubiales' mother is part of a minority, though. The Spanish team is making history not only by winning the World Cup but also by boosting the #MeToo movement in Spanish sports and culture.

Photo: Instagram @jennihermoso

So far, eleven members of the women's team's coaching staff have resigned in protest against the "unacceptable attitudes"of the president.