Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized football federation chief Luis Rubiales for kissing world champion Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth. Rubiales has to fear for his post, the association called a general assembly.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized the head of the football association Luis Rubiales for kissing world champion Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after the World Cup final in Sydney.
“What we have seen is unacceptable”, Sánchez said on Tuesday: “And Mr Rubiales’ apologies are not enough, I would call them inappropriate, so he must take further steps to clarify what we have all seen.”
According to Sánchez, it is not up to Rubiales to remain president of the Spanish Football Association. The Spanish association RFEF is not controlled by the government. But Rubiales still has to formulate his apologies clearly and convincingly.
The association announced late Tuesday evening (08/22/2023) that it had invited to an Extraordinary General Assembly on Friday, which will deal with the future of Rubiales.
The RFEF president hugged and hugged the Spanish players after winning the title in Sunday’s 1-0 win over England. Videos showed how the association boss kissed Hermoso on the mouth after a hug and two kisses on the cheek.
Half-hearted apologies with no regrets
The 45-year-old ex-professional, association boss since 2018 and by no means known as a saint due to scandals and scandals, tried a half-hearted apology on Monday. He doesn’t have any “another choice”than to apologize and “to learn from”. If he represents the association, he has to be more careful, said the official. However, he stuck to his point that the excitement “idiotic” be. be his kiss “happened without ill intention in a moment of maximum exuberance”. He considered it normal and natural “but outside it caused a stir”.
He had previously snapped at a reporter from “Radio Marca” at the departure gate in Sydney: “There are idiots everywhere. When two people are having a moment of affection with no further meaning, idiots shouldn’t be listened to.”