Spain’s footbal chief apologises for World Cup kiss

AFP

The Spanish soccer federation chief apologised on Monday after an unsolicited kiss on participant Jenni Hermoso’s lips throughout celebrations of the nation’s Women’s World Cup victory sparked outrage, with Spain’s second deputy prime minister calling for his resignation.

The incident occurred as federation president Luis Rubiales handed the Spanish crew gold medals after they beat England 1-0 within the closing on Sunday.

“Surely I was wrong, I have to admit,” Rubiales stated in a video assertion despatched by the federation. “It was without bad faith at a time of maximum effusiveness.”

As the crew landed in Madrid on Monday night time after their victory in Australia, Rubiales declined to answer to a query in regards to the incident, telling Reuters: “It is time to enjoy and celebrate. We have won a world cup”.

After the kiss, Hermoso informed teammates within the locker room that she “didn’t like it,” in response to video footage posted on Instagram and YouTube by El Mundo newspaper and different media shops.

She later downplayed the incident in a press release despatched to Spanish news company EFE by the federation.

“It was a mutual gesture that was totally spontaneous prompted by the huge joy of winning a World Cup,” the assertion stated. “The ‘presi’ and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with all of us has always been 10 (out of 10) and this was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”

Post-game video footage additionally depicts Rubiales kissing different gamers on the cheek or embracing them when handing out the medals.

Standing moreover Spain’s Queen Letizia and one among her teenage daughters on the stadium’s seats, Rubiales enthusiastically celebrated the victory.

Asked once more in regards to the incident on Spain’s COPE Radio station, Hermoso stated: “I wish they created (controversy) involving someone else, I’m a world champion and that’s what matters.”

Several authorities ministers and media commentators criticised the gesture.

Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz known as for Rubiales’ resignation as a result of “without any doubt (he) attacked a woman”, arguing that “his excuses do not work at all”.

Acting Culture and Sports Minister Miquel Iceta stated on RNE radio the kiss was “unacceptable” and requested Rubiales to supply an evidence and to apologise.

An opinion column in Spain’s top-selling El Pais newspaper on Monday morning was titled: “Jenni didn’t like the kiss and we didn’t either” – describing it as “an intrusion, an invasion of privacy, an aggression”.

Rubiales had initially minimised the outrage, calling critics “idiots”.

“The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere. When two people have a moment of affection that means nothing more, you can’t listen to idiocy. We are the champions, that’s it,” he stated, in response to Radio Marca.

But in his apology afterward Monday, Rubiales included those that known as him out.

“I also want to apologise to these persons,” he stated.