Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has apologized for kissing Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Sunday’s World Cup final victory.
After Hermoso was presented with her winner’s medal, Rubiales embraced the forward and then kissed her in a move that drew widespread condemnation.
With pressure building, Rubiales released a video statement on Monday in which he apologized for his actions.
“I made a mistake, for sure,” Rubiales said. “I have to accept it. In a moment of such emotion, without any bad intention or bad faith, what happened, happened, in a very spontaneous way. [There was] no bad faith from either side.
“Here we saw it as something natural and normal. But on the outside it has caused a stir, because people have felt hurt by it, so I have to apologize; there’s no alternative. I have to learn from this and understand that a president of an institution as important as the federation — above all in ceremonies and that kind of thing — should be more careful.
“There are also some things which I said where, within this context, I said it seemed like idiocy. On the inside, nobody had seen it as important, but on the outside they had. So I want to apologize to those people. I’m sure they’ll have their reasons. I’m also saddened, because this is the biggest success in our history in women’s football, the second World Cup that we’ve won, and this has affected the celebration.”
Rubiales initially defiant
Monday’s apology was in stark contrast to the initial reaction of Rubiales, who was was defiant when asked about the incident on the “El Partidazo de COPE” radio show in Spain.
“It’s a peck between two friends celebrating something,” Rubiales said on Sunday. “Let’s ignore the fools and the idiots. Let’s ignore them and enjoy the good things. If there are fools, let them continue with their nonsense. Let’s pay attention to those who are not fools.”
Rubiales was condemned by leading figures in the world of soccer, including Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker and San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney.
Spain’s minister of culture and sports, Miquel Iceta, also called the actions of Rubiales “unacceptable” in a statement to RTVE radio.
“It seems unacceptable to me,” Iceta said. “We are experiencing a sporting event… but we are also living in a moment of equality. We live in a moment of rights and respect for women. So we all must be especially careful in our attitudes and actions. I think it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her.”
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