Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales was likely hoping that his apology would do enough to quell the growing storm around his kiss of Spain star Jenni Hermoso.
One day later, however, it looks like Rubiales is still facing some rough waters ahead.
After Spain’s World Cup final win over England on Sunday, Rubiales embraced Hermoso and kissed her on the lips during the post-game medal ceremony.
Though his reaction to criticism around the incident was initially defiant, the RFEF president changed his approach on Monday by releasing a video statement apologizing for the kiss, saying “I made a mistake, for sure.”
But on Tuesday, Rubiales was criticized by no less than Spain’s acting prime minister Pedro Sánchez, who said that the apology from Rubiales “wasn’t sufficient.”
“It shows that in our country there’s a long way to go in terms of equality and respect between men and women,” Sánchez told reporters. “What we saw was an unacceptable gesture.
“I think the apology Mr. Rubiales has given wasn’t sufficient, I’d say it wasn’t adequate, and Mr. Rubiales should keep taking further steps.
He added: “The RFEF isn’t a part of the Spanish government. … The president is chosen or removed by [the federation’s] members. Mr. Rubiales must take further steps to clarify a behavior which is clearly unacceptable. His apology must be more clear and more convincing.”
Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s acting second deputy prime minister, was even more forceful, saying that Hermoso was “harassed and assaulted” and calling on Rubiales to resign.
“Our most resounding condemnation for what we saw,” Díaz said on social media. “Nothing more and nothing less, a woman has been harassed and assaulted.
“His excuses are useless. What we ask is for the sports law to be applied and for the sport’s federation protocols to be activated. This person should resign.”
As the pressure grows on Rubiales, a report from Relevo on Tuesday provided some potentially damaging details on the behavior of the RFEF in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Among the items in the report are allegations that Rubiales and head coach Jorge Vilda asked Hermoso multiple times to appear in the president’s apology video, which the striker refused.
Even more alarming is an allegation that a statement attributed to Hermoso, which said of Rubiales: “His behavior with everyone has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,” was reportedly written by the RFEF and not approved by the player herself.
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