‘Horrific’ World Cup Final act was ‘natural and normal’

Rubiales, 45, kissed Hermoso on the lips after she collected her medal, scary a direct world response.

Speaking in a video message, Rubiales mentioned: “There’s also an event which I have to regret and it is everything that has happened between a player and I, with a magnificent connection between both people, just as with others.

“And where I surely made a mistake, I need to recognise it, because in a moment of maximum effusiveness, with no bad intention, with no bad faith, what happened happened — I think in a very spontaneous way. I repeat: with no bad faith from either of the two parties.

“From that point on, here they didn’t understand it because we saw it as something natural, normal and not at all — and I repeat — with any bad faith.

“But outside it seems as if it has caused a stir. Of course, if there are people who felt hurt by this, I need to apologise — there’s no alternative. And also learn from this and understand that a president of such an important institution as the federation has to — above all in ceremonies and in these types of questions — be more careful.

“Then there are some declarations on my part where, in this context, (I said) that this seems to me something stupid — it’s because of that. Because in here, nobody gave it any importance at all but outside they have. So I also want to apologise in front of those people because I understand that, if outside they saw it in a different way, they will surely have their reasons.

“And finally I am sorry that, after the biggest success of our history in women’s football and one of the biggest in general — it’s the second World Cup we’ve won — this has tarnished the celebration in a certain way. I think we have to give merit to these women, to the team led by Jorge Vilda and we have to celebrate this in style.”

Earlier Spain’s sports activities minister on Monday had demanded that Rubiales apologise. “I think it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her,” appearing minister Miquel Iceta instructed Spanish public radio.

“The first thing he has to do is to give explanations and make apologies, it is the logical and reasonable thing to do,” Iceta mentioned.

The minister added that whereas the 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney was “a moment of intense emotions”, public officers “have to be extremely careful because we are giving a message to society and the message is equal rights, it is respect”.

Socceroos nice Craig Foster has referred to as for Rubiales to be stood down over the kiss.

“Women in sport are daily subject to an extreme power differential, objectification, harassment, sexual abuse and an absence of agency and power,” Foster tweeted.

“This is horrific. He should be stood down immediately by FIFA and the Spanish FA.”

On Sunday, Hermoso posted a video on Instagram displaying the celebrations within the altering room wherein she responded to teasing from teammates by saying: “I didn’t like it, eh!” whereas laughing.

Later on Sunday the RFEF launched their very own quotes from Hermoso. “It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” Hermoso was quoted as saying.

“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.

“A gesture of friendship and gratitude cannot be gone over so much, we have won a World Cup and we are not going to deviate from what is important.”

Spain’s preparations for the World Cup have been thrown into disarray final September when 15 gamers despatched an electronic mail to the RFEF saying they didn’t wish to be thought-about for choice.

Their protest was aimed mainly at coach Jorge Vilda and his strategies, together with complaints that he was too strict.

Rubiales supported Vilda and solely three of the 15 have been recalled for the World Cup.

– with AFP