The President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has apologized for the kiss on the mouth he gave to the Spanish player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup victory without his consent, an act “without bad intentions”, he explained in a video posted to social media on Monday.
• Also read: “I didn’t like it”: The president of the Spanish Football Federation kisses a player on the podium
“In a moment of increasing merging, with no ill intent, no ill will, well what happened happened,” he said.
“Here we saw it as something natural, normal and, I repeat, without ill intentions, but outwardly it seems as if there was a commotion,” he regretted, adding, “If there are people who have been hurt by it.” .” “I must apologize, there is nothing else to do.”
Kissed on the mouth by the Spanish FA president, Jenni Hermoso admits she “didn’t like it”.
(Live Instagram)
The controversy in Spain is increasing over this gesture by Luis Rubiales. pic.twitter.com/hgoP6oTE4s
— News Foot (@ActuFoot_) August 20, 2023
The Spanish Minister of Culture and Sport, Miquel Iceta, was questioned by Spanish public broadcaster on Monday morning and found the act “unacceptable” and asked the RFEF President for “explanations” and “apologies”.
During the awards ceremony, after Spain beat England (1-0) in the World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand, Luis Rubiales congratulated the world champions and kissed the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth.
The images of the scene that went around the world sparked controversy.
AFP
“It’s a spontaneous celebration that comes out of it, the two are very good friends,” sources told AFP on Sunday, while the player herself apparently took it as a joke.
“It was a completely spontaneous mutual gesture, because of the great joy of having won a World Cup. “The President and I have a great relationship, his behavior towards all of us was excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,” Jenni Hermoso said in a statement to RFEF.
“We’ve won a World Cup and we’re not distracted from what’s important,” added the player.
Luis Rubiales also regretted that this controversy had “tarnished” the celebration of “the greatest achievement in our history in women’s football”.