Irked by 46YO Soccer Veteran’s Scandalous Kiss, Scottie Pippen’s Ex-Wife Larsa Goes Off on Women’s World Cup Controversy

It was an act that shook the world. What should’ve been a moment of celebration for Spain turned awry because of one person’s questionable actions. It’s become a raging discussion in all circles, mostly slamming Luis Rubiales, the former president of Spain’s football federation. One of the famous athletes condemning Rubiales is a Spanish pro who became a legend in the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. The subject has even reached Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan’s podcast.

Marcus, son of Michael Jordan, brought up the incident on the podcast. But from their discussion, it became clear that they’ve been talking about this matter even privately. It didn’t stop Larsa Pippen from giving her honest take.

Larsa Pippen sounds off on Luis Rubiales’ act

The saga marring the Spanish soccer team has entered the discussion circles of even the NBA-adjacent. Michael Jordan’s son and Scottie Pippen’s ex-wife weighed in on the situation during this week’s edition of their podcast, Separation Anxiety.

The Spanish team won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in August 2023. In the medal ceremony, the then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed the team’s midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the mouth. The moment was captured on camera and spread across social media to point out the inappropriate nature of Rubiales’ actions.

Hermoso didn’t consent to it, a fact she reiterated several times. Moreover, social media’s biggest debators slammed the way Rubiales grabbed her. According to many of them and Larsa Pippen, he crossed the line.

When the subject came up on the podcast, Pippen and Jordan initially prefaced that they may not fully understand the cultural differences. Pippen, who is of Syrian-Lebanese descent, understands the nuances. “I think Latins are huggers and kiss. And I think that’s very normal. Middle-Eastern people are like that, we love to hug and we love to kiss.”

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But that’s where she drew the line. “Kissing as a coach, kissing a player on the lips, grabbing her face – ’cause I saw the photo and I saw the video – I feel like is so inappropriate. That is so off-limits. So wrong.” Several people, including athletes, would agree with Larsa Pippen.

More athletes chime in on Luis Rubiales saga

NBA’s Spanish legend, Pau Gasol, would be one of the homegrown athletes to slam Rubiales in a lengthy Instagram post. Expressing his support to Hermoso and her team, he said that such actions and attitudes “have no place in the world of sport.” Serena Williams and her husband and Martina Navratilova were also among the people demanding Rubiales’ ouster.

Pippen too was initially disgusted by the lack of acknowledgment from Rubiales. But her rumored fiance would provide an update. Rubiales provided an apology and was suspended by FIFA. But he initially refused to resign and denied the allegations.

Marcus, too, would express his disdain. He said there are “power dynamics at play” because of which such an action should’ve been “off-limits.”

The power dynamics and the sexism are the root of the entire problem haunting Spanish football. As Larsa said, “Women are put in this situation… and you don’t have a voice.” It’s clear Pippen and Jordan are in Hermoso’s corner and hoping for change.

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