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Fifa Women’s World Cup: Spain PM Sanchez says football boss apology over unsolicited kiss ‘insufficient’
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said what occurred after Spain’s World Cup victory was ‘an unacceptable gesture’
- Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso as he handed the Spanish team gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday provoking outrage in Spain
“What we saw was an unacceptable gesture,” Sanchez told a news conference when asked about the controversy over the unsolicited kiss.
![Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Luis Rubiales decision to kiss Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup “an unacceptable gesture”. Photo: EPA-EFE](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/08/22/e4edcc37-5c3c-4f30-845b-3a6991d1c501_124a41b7.jpg)
“I also think the apologies given by Mr. Rubiales are insufficient. And I even think that they are inappropriate, and that he must go further,” the premier added.
“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”.
![Luis Rubiales, the head of Spain’s football federation, has apologised for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Photo: Reuters](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/08/22/122af4d0-5f01-41ec-ab10-8bf4955ec54d_1126e908.jpg)
Rubiales on Monday stressed that he had a “magnificent relationship” with Hermoso.
She later downplayed the incident in a statement released by the federation, saying it was “a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings”.
“The president and I have a great relationship. His behaviour with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,” she added, according to the federation statement.
![Jenni Hermoso in the Women’s World Cup final. Photo: AFP](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2023/08/22/871be455-b229-4092-a73e-d95c9ed7dcec_087ef0e5.jpg)
Spain’s preparations for the World Cup were thrown into disarray last September when 15 players sent an email to the Spanish federation saying they did not want to be considered for selection.
Their protest was aimed chiefly at coach Jorge Vilda and his methods, including complaints that he was too strict.
Rubiales supported Vilda and only three of the 15 were recalled for the World Cup.
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