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The president of the Spanish Football Federation has expressed regret for kissing Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso after their victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Spain secured their inaugural World Cup triumph, and during the subsequent awards ceremony, Luis Rubiales, the federation's president, engaged in embraces and kisses with the team.
Jennifer Hermoso was greeted by the federation president with a hug followed by a kiss, drawing significant backlash. This action has also faced censure from Spanish ministers.
Spain’s football federation president Luis Rubiales has been criticised for kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips after her side won the Women’s World Cup ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/AStGXeCxNa
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) August 21, 2023
Spain's minister of equalities, Irene Montero said: "It's a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis."
Montero added that up to now it had been "invisible" and that it is something "we can't normalize".
"We should not assume kissing without consent is something 'that happens'," she said.
The action of the Federation President also drew disapproval from the player herself, Jenni Hermoso.
Nonetheless, the president has now issued an apology, stating, "I acknowledge that my action was entirely inappropriate, although my intent was not malicious. I was swept up in the moment's excitement, and while we deemed it acceptable then, an issue has since emerged. I extend my apologies and aim to derive a lesson from this occurrence. As president, I must grasp the need for heightened accountability."
Update:
