Natalie Portman: Spain women’s team’s resilience is inspiring

Angel City FC co-owner and Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman on Thursday praised Spain’s World Cup-winning gamers, saying they confirmed nice resilience in opposition to “harassment, abuse and assault.”

Their World Cup victory final month has been overshadowed by the behaviour of Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales, who on the medals ceremony in Sydney grabbed participant Jenni Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips.

Hermoso, who says she didn’t consent to the kiss, on Wednesday lodged a felony grievance over the matter, which has spiralled right into a nationwide debate over women’s rights and sexist behaviour. Rubiales has refused to step down, saying he did nothing improper and is a sufferer of “false feminism.”

Portman stated in a speech to the European Clubs’ Association General Assembly on Thursday that different groups had previously needed to battle for equal pay.

“This time the Spanish team was fighting against harassment, abuse and assault,” stated the actor, who is additionally a co-founder of Angel City, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) staff based mostly in Los Angeles.

“The resilience of these women to play at the top level whilst being under such unfair and unjust conditions and the ability to be advocates on and off the field is inspiring,” stated Portman, who attended the World Cup in Australia.

Rubiales might face felony expenses along with the continuing inquiry by Spain’s high sport court docket for severe misconduct and an investigation by world soccer governing physique FIFA, which has provisionally suspended Rubiales from workplace for 90 days.

Hermoso’s membership in Mexico, Pachuca, introduced on Thursday that the World Cup winner had returned to the staff however is not going to be talking with media.

“Thank you for understanding and respecting her privacy,” the statement read.

“Club Pachuca will offer Jenni Hermoso all the support — institutional, emotional and personal — she needs to continue her activities.”