President of the Spanish Football Federation apologizes for kissing a female player
In a video posted by the RFEF on August 21, Rubiales begins by saying that Spanish football has just made a historic milestone and is experiencing one of its happiest days. He emphasized that RFEF and the team have worked hard for a long time and are proud of winning the 2023 Women's World Cup.
"There's one thing I regret very much and that's what happened between me and a female player, with whom I have a great relationship, as well as other members of the team," Rubiales continued about the marriage. Hermoso's lips. "I have to admit that I made a mistake, in a moment of euphoria."
The head of the RFEF considered the spontaneous moment with Hermoso to be normal, but still had to apologize in the face of a wave of criticism. "I think it's natural, normal and not meant to be malicious, but it causes chaos outside," Rubiales continued. "It seems everyone has been hurt by this and I have to apologize, there is no other choice."
Rubiales sees this as a lesson and must learn from it, be more careful, especially in celebrations and similar complexities, as the head of Spanish football.
Earlier in the day, on Radio Marca, Rubiales said that kissing Hermoso was just "two people showing affection gently" and did not care about "stupid people", referring to those who are outraged by the behavior. your.
In a video posted by the RFEF on August 21, Rubiales also apologized for this statement. "I also want to apologize to these people, because if things were viewed differently, they certainly have their own reasons for it," he said.
The RFEF President also regretted that the incident caused unnecessary noise, on the day Spain made history with the first women's World Cup championship. Rubiales emphasized that coach Jorge Vilda and the female players deserve attention at this time and the championship celebration must be celebrated with grandeur.
Rubiales was on stage at the FIFA awards ceremony after the 2023 Women's World Cup final on August 20 with other officials, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Queen Letizia of Spain and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. On the podium, after presenting the medal, Rubiales hugged, put his hands on his head and kissed Hermoso on the lips. The RFEF President then patted the back as the 11th player left.
The incident caused Rubiales to face a wave of criticism. Spain's Culture and Sports Minister Miquel Iceta said it was "unacceptable" for the head of the RFEF to kiss the female player's lips and demanded an apology. However, Hermoso's mother Marisol Fuentes told TVE: "Spain is the champion, the rest doesn't matter".
Rubiales is a former player, grew up at Atletico's youth academy, won the Spanish Second Division with Levante in 2004 and went up to play in La Liga.
After retiring in 2009, Rubiales was elected President of the Association of Spanish Players and was elected President of RFEF in May 2018. One of Rubiales' first big decisions was to sack coach Julen Lopetegui just before Spain's 2018 World Cup, because this coach surreptitiously reached an agreement to lead Real Madrid.
