Current:Home > InvestSpanish soccer federation president apologizes for kissing star Jennifer Hermoso on lips-LoTradeCoin
Spanish soccer federation president apologizes for kissing star Jennifer Hermoso on lips
View Date:2024-12-24 00:11:16
The head of Spain's soccer federation issued a video apology Monday after he was roundly critiized for kissing star player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips a day earlier during a trophy presentation ceremony for the 2023 World Cup champions.
Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales was congratulating each team member after Spain defeated England 1-0 in Sunday's final in Sydney, Australia, and when it came time to greet to one of La Roja's star players, he bestowed a bit more affection on Hermoso.
"I didn't like it," Spain's all-time leading scorer said in an Instagram post, according to the BBC.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster COPE, Rubiales looked to minimize the controversy as it bubbled up on social media, saying it was "a kiss between two friends celebrating something." He added that those who saw it differently were "idiots and stupid people."
However, criticism continued to mount, and Rubiales acknowledged in Monday's statement -- according to a Pro Soccer Wire translation -- that "on the outside it has caused a stir, because people have felt hurt by it, so I have to apologize; there’s no alternative."
WORLD CUP CENTRAL: 2023 Women's World Cup Live Scores, Schedules, Standings, Bracket and More
He characterized his interaction with Hermoso as "something natural and normal," but as president of the national federation he conceded he must be held to a higher standard.
“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."
The incident came after the Spanish women won their first World Cup title – and on the heels of a player revolt last September against coach Jorge Vilda in which 15 players revolted in protest over what they called an unprofessional training environment.
As the latest controversy continued to gather steam Sunday, Spain's equalities minister criticized Rubiales' actions.
"It's a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis," Irene Montero said. "We should not assume kissing without consent is something 'that happens.' "
veryGood! (9431)
Related
- Demure? Brain rot? Oxford announces shortlist for 2024 Word of the Year: Cast your vote
- Businessman Eric Hovde enters Wisconsin U.S. Senate race to unseat Democrat Tammy Baldwin
- Stock market today: Asian stocks mixed after tech shares pull Wall Street lower
- New Hampshire rejects pardon hearing request in case linked to death penalty repeal
- OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
- Taylor Swift's 'ick face,' Travis Kelce and when going public causes more harm than good
- 2 men charged with murder in shooting at Kansas City Chiefs parade that killed 1, injured 22
- Summer House's Carl Radke Addresses Drug Accusation Made by Ex Lindsay Hubbard
- Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
- How did hair become part of school dress codes? Some students see vestiges of racism
Ranking
- CFP bracket prediction: SEC adds a fifth team to field while a Big Ten unbeaten falls out
- College student who shares flight information for Taylor Swift's jet responds to her lawyers' cease-and-desist: Look What You Made Me Do
- 11 years later, still no end to federal intervention in sight for New Orleans police
- See Machine Gun Kelly’s Transformation After Covering His Tattoos With Solid Black Ink
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- When do new episodes of 'Love is Blind' Season 6 come out? See full series schedule
- Harvard condemns student and faculty groups for posting antisemitic cartoon
- Disaster follows an astronaut back to Earth in the thriller 'Constellation'
Recommendation
-
Alexandra Daddario Shares Candid Photo of Her Postpartum Body 6 Days After Giving Birth
-
Commercial moon lander brakes into orbit, setting stage for historic landing attempt Thursday
-
Master All Four Elements With This Avatar: The Last Airbender Gift Guide
-
11 years later, still no end to federal intervention in sight for New Orleans police
-
Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
-
Wind Power Is Taking Over A West Virginia Coal Town. Will The Residents Embrace It?
-
Fantasy baseball rankings for 2024: Ronald Acuña Jr. leads our Top 200
-
Dartmouth College to honor memory of football coach Teevens with celebration, athletic complex name