Luis Rubiales on Hermoso kiss: “I made a mistake and I have to recognise that”

Luis Rubiales, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, caused controversy on Sunday when he was captured on national television cameras kissing Spain’s Jenni Hermoso on the lips ahead of the World Cup trophy presentation post game. Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney thanks to a first half goal from Olga Carmona.

The media storm has been huge, and now the Spanish government has had their say, with Miquel Iceta, the Minister of Culture and Sport in Spain, saying that Rubiales should explain and even apologise for the incident: “the first thing he has to do is explain himself and give his reasons”, said Iceta, who called the kiss “unacceptable”.

At the same time, the Catalan Secretary for Sport, Anna Caula, asked for Rubiales to step down from his position as head of the RFEF, saying he “should step down. He cannot tolerate nor pay any price for being an elite sportsperson. Football is still not looked upon as equal”.

Rubiales offers his views

Luis Rubiales finally broke his silence on the matter on Monday and issued a two minute video where he apologised for the incident via the Spanish FA social media networks.

The 45-year-old commenced the video acknowledging the incredible achievement of winning the 2023 World Cup and recognised that it was a “historical moment and we at the Spanish FA feel very proud”.

“At the same time, there is something that I’d like to apologise about, and that focuses on what happened between a player and myself and I have to say that I got things wrong despite having a wonderful relationship with this player as I do with many others in the squad. We understood this as something natural, normal and not at all, I repeat carried out with any bad faith”.

“But this seems to have generated a major storm, because there are certainly people who have been hurt by this. I have to apologise, there is no other way. And also learn from this and understand that when you are the president of an institution as important as the Spanish Federation, you have to be more careful”.

“Then there are also some statements from me where I allude that the whole concept seems to be overblown. That’s why, nobody here gave it the slightest importance, but outside of where we are based it has been badly received. So I would also like to apologise to these people, because I understand that if they perceive in a different manner, then they are entitled to have their reasons”.

And finally, I am sorry that in the face of the greatest achievement in women’s football for us and one of the greatest in general, being the second World Cup we have won. This has somewhat tarnished the celebration. I think we have to give credit to these women, to the team led by Jorge Vilda and this has to be celebrated in style”.