Home » FIFA Women’s World Cup: Rubiales apologises for kissing Hermoso on the lips

FIFA Women’s World Cup: Rubiales apologises for kissing Hermoso on the lips

Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday apologised for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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What happened – Rubiales kissed Hermoso

The scene has been absolutely trending all over the social media, with the majority of reactions show angers and disagreement on the kiss while provoked an immediate global reaction.

Rubiales, 45, kissed Hermoso on the lips after she collected her medal following the tight victory over England Women’s football team by 1-0.

#RubialesDimision and #RubialesOut are two of the hashtags that have been shared widely by the fans on twitter. Earlier Spain’s sports minister on Monday had demanded that Rubiales apologise.

#RubialesOut #Rubialesdimision

He has to go, this is absolutely disgusting. Feel so sorry for Jenni Hermoso #Esp

pic.twitter.com/MtTgEeioWa

— 🤌🏿 Imani: That Good Craic (@imanilfc) August 20, 2023

“I think it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her,” acting minister Miquel Iceta told Spanish public radio.

“The first thing he has to do is to give explanations and make apologies, it is the logical and reasonable thing to do,” Iceta said.

The minister added that while the 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney was “a moment of intense emotions”, public officials “have to be extremely careful because we are giving a message to society and the message is equal rights, it is respect”.

Rubiales’ apology

And the 45-year-old has released the official apology:

Spain's soccer chief planted an unsolicited kiss on player Jenni Hermoso’s lips during the #FIFAWomensWorldCup final trophy celebrations. The incident sparked outrage in Spain, prompting federation chief Luis Rubiales to issue an apology https://t.co/NwiAqBbk1r pic.twitter.com/4l1PHRM28l

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 21, 2023

“Certainly I made a mistake and I have to acknowledge that,” Rubiales said in a video posted on social media by Spanish television.

“It was done without any ill intention in a moment of the highest exuberance. Here we saw it as natural and normal but outside it has caused a commotion.”

“I have no choice but to apologise and to learn from this… and when representing the federation take more care,” he said, adding that he thought the furore was “idiotic”.

Hermoso’s instant reaction on the kiss

Rubiales on Monday stressed that he had a “magnificent relationship” with Hermoso, who appeared to be uncomfortable being kissed.

On Sunday, the player posted a video on Instagram showing the celebrations in the changing room in which she responded to teasing from team-mates by saying: “I didn’t like it, eh!” while laughing.