Spain's soccer president sorry for kissing World Cup star
Share this @internewscast.com

A kiss is just a kiss, except when it isn’t.

Spain’s head of soccer apologized Monday after trying to defend the cringeworthy kiss he placed on Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup ceremony on Sunday. 

Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales received severe backlash after kissing Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s 1-0 win to clinch the country’s first Women’s World Cup title.

It didn’t help that Rubiales’ initial reaction to the criticism was to call those condemning him “idiots.”

In his video mea culpa Monday, Rubiales tried to walk it back by taking ownership for his blunder.

“I made a mistake, for sure,” Rubiales said in the video, according to ESPN.

“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.”


Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales apologized for kissing Spain star Jenni Hermoso. 
Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales apologized for kissing Spain star Jenni Hermoso. 
REUTERS

Hermoso helped Spain beat England, 1-0, on Sunday in the Women's World Cup final.
Hermoso helped Spain beat England, 1-0, on Sunday in the Women’s World Cup final.
REUTERS

There was a loud uproar over the incident, which was captured by television cameras and broadcast around the globe, with social media flooded by commenters denouncing Rubiales’ actions. 

On Monday, it went a step further thanks to Spain’s minister for culture and sport, Miquel Iceta.

“It seems unacceptable to me,” Iceta told broadcaster RNE, ESPN reported. “We’re in a moment of equality, of rights and respect for women. We all have to be particularly careful in our attitudes and our actions. I think it’s unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her.”


Luis Rubiales kisses Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup on Aug. 20.
Luis Rubiales kisses Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup on Aug. 20.
Screengrab

Hermoso had tried to downplay the situation in a statement released by the Spanish football federation.

“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.”

However, the statement was not shared by Hermoso on any of her social media platforms and in an Instagram live video, she told one commenter that “I didn’t like that!” when asked about the kiss from Rubiales.


Hermoso was a key player in Spain winning the Women's World Cup for the first time.
Hermoso was a key player in Spain winning the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
FIFA via Getty Images

The federation’s recent history with its women’s team has added to the already strong reaction to Rubiales’ actions.

The women’s team and the soccer federation have had a fraught relationship in recent years, which included a number of players writing a letter to the RFEF regarding concerns over coach Jorge Vilda’s professionalism. 

So it didn’t exactly help when Rubiales initially tried to downplay his actions, telling Radio MARCA: “There are idiots everywhere. When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t heed idiocy.”


Rubiales
Rubiales initially defended his kiss before apologizing.
AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, Rubiales was singing a different tune.

“There are also some things which I said where, within this context, I said it seemed like idiocy,” Rubiales said in his statement on Monday. “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.

“We have to give the merit to these women and the team led by Jorge Vilda, we have to celebrate it in style.”

Share this @internewscast.com
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Biden lights the National Christmas Tree, taking his turn to bring holiday spirit to Washington

Biden lights the National Christmas Tree, taking his turn to bring holiday spirit to Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s President Joe Biden ‘s turn to bring some…
Red Lobster raises price of unlimited shrimp promotion because it's too popular

Red Lobster raises price of unlimited shrimp promotion because it’s too popular

Red Lobster’s parent company, Thai Union Group, disclosed earlier this month that…
FBI Supervisory Agent Corroborates IRS Whistleblower Testimony, Points to FBI-Involved Cover-Up

Catherine Herridge Posts Fascinating Bank Record Exposing Biden Biz Dealings, Troubling Threat From China

CBS’ Catherine Herridge broke down a fascinating Biden bank record that the…
Mother of Palestinian shot in Vermont say men were victims of a targeted hate crime

Mother of Palestinian shot in Vermont say men were victims of a targeted hate crime

The mother of one of the Palestinian college students shot on the…
Shocking police bodycam footage captured the moment three officers entered a hotel room to find a suspected gunman inside around several children, where he was trying to 'escape'

Harrowing moment gunman is shot by cops in front of screaming children inside hotel room in Connecticut

Suspected gunman Christopher Nolan, 42, was shot by cops on Sunday   Witnesses…
Illinois Supreme Court ruling on case of bicyclist hit by car could help auto insurance legal struggles for pedestrians

Illinois Supreme Court ruling on case of bicyclist hit by car could help auto insurance legal struggles for pedestrians

CHICAGO (WLS) — A major legal hurdle was cleared Thursday with the…
A new ad running in Iowa and New Hampshire will show a sweet, young side to Vivek Ramaswamy by featuring his love of piano and 'liberty' ¿ and an image of him playing piano as a child

EXCLUSIVE: Vivek Ramaswamy’s piano teacher says she taught him about the Constitution and to ‘love liberty’: Republican hopeful’s campaign shows off his softer side as a child ahead of crucial fourth debate

Ad obtained by DailyMail.com show a young Vivek Ramaswamy playing piano   Ad…
Taylor Swift’s publicist slams gossip account Deuxmoi for Joe Alwyn marriage rumors

Taylor Swift’s publicist slams gossip account Deuxmoi for Joe Alwyn marriage rumors

Taylor Swift’s publicist is calling out one of social media’s most popular…
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London yesterday

Dignity in the face of Scobie’s poison pen: William and Kate receive a standing ovation as they arrive at Royal Variety Show – while the royals’ tormentor-in-chief shamelessly continues to twist the knife

Royal experts and politicians have rallied round Kate Middleton as she and…
Mayors of Alabama's 10 largest cities hosting photo contest

Alabama residents to begin receiving $150 tax rebates

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama residents soon will begin receiving one-time tax…
Penguin Random House and bestselling authors sue Iowa over school book-banning law

Penguin Random House and bestselling authors sue Iowa over school book-banning law

The nation’s largest publisher and several bestselling authors, including novelists John Green…
Tinnitus may be linked to ‘hidden hearing loss’ missed on common tests, study suggests

Tinnitus may be linked to ‘hidden hearing loss’ missed on common tests, study suggests

Scientists know that ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is associated with…