Rose said Rubiales’s actions amounted to an “abuse of power” and his conviction last month must send a message that women deserve respect on and off the pitch.
Legendary Scotland player Rose Reilly says Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales’s conviction for sexual assault must lead to a change in the game’s culture.
Rose said Rubiales’s actions amounted to an “abuse of power” and his conviction last month must send a message that women deserve respect on and off the pitch.
Rubiales, 47, kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso, 34, on the lips during the medal ceremony after the 2023 World Cup final, when they beat England 1-0 last August.
The ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation was found guilty of sexual assault and fined £9000.
Rose, who won the unofficial World Cup with Italy in 1984, said: “This simply must send a message and that is a message of respect. This was nothing but an abuse of power.
“These women are professional footballers, they are athletes playing for their country. A lot of the girls that are playing are young, they are not the same age as the men in charge and there is an imbalance of power.
“Lessons must be learned and women in football must be extended the same respect as men.”
Rose, 70, of Stewarton, Ayrshire, had to cut her hair and change her name to Ross to get a game with her local boys’ team as women’s football was banned when she started out.
She left Ayrshire to turn professional in Europe aged 17. After winning the league with Reims in France, she moved to AC Milan and picked up two titles.
She was such a hit in Serie A that Italy’s president asked her to play for the nation. She went on to win the 1984 version of the women’s World Cup and was named female world footballer of the year.
She played for nine Italian clubs, winning eight league titles and four Italian Cups.
Rose won the golden boot in 1978, scoring 43 goals for Catania, and in 1981, hitting 45 for Lecce.
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