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Rabat – Luis Rubiales, the president of Spain’s football federation, has been in the center of a controversy as he was captured on camera kissing the women’s team forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the post-game ceremony.
The incident has raised criticisms among the Spanish public and football fans over the inappropriate nature of the act, especially between a federation president and player.
Immediately following the game, the player commented on the incident in a live stream that she started in the dressing room, stating that she “did not like it,”.
Later, the world champion stated that it was a “natural gesture of affection,”
“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” Hermoso said. “The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
Rubiales was initially dismissive of the criticism, claiming that it was an innocent gesture “between two friends.”
“It was a kiss between two friends celebrating something,” said Rubiales while calling people who interpreted the kiss in a different way “idiots and stupid people.”
The kiss dominated Spanish news this Monday as the Minister of Equality Irene Montero stated that it is “a form of sexual violence that we women suffer on a daily basis and until now has been invisible, … we can’t normalize this.”
The stance was supported by Nadia Tronchoni who leads sports coverage at the newspaper El Pais by saying, “It’s an intrusion,… an invasion of one’s personal space. Without consent. An aggression.”
In response, Rubiales apologized on Monday.“I have to admit it , because in an emotional moment, and without any bad intentions, without any bad faith, what happened happened, very spontaneously, without bad faith on either side,” he said in a video cited by MARCA
“Of course, if there are people who have felt damaged by this, I have to apologize, there is no other option,” he added.
Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history on Sunday, after defeating the English national team 1-0 in the final.
