Spanish PM Sánchez: “Rubiales’ apology is not enough”
Current acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed home the World Cup winners at Moncloa in the capital.
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, spoke to the media after a meeting with King Felipe VI as he looks to form a coalition government after the recent July general election failed to deliver a clear majority for any of the political parties.
Sanchez was asked by one of the members of the media gathered in the room, for his views on the controversial kiss given by Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), to striker Jenni Hermoso as the players approached the podium to collect their World Cup winners medals after a 1-0 win over England in Sydney on Sunday.
Previously Sánchez and Rubiales came face to face at a celebration reception in Moncloa earlier on Tuesday morning with his greeting to Rubiales very much on the frosty side.
“The players of the women’s national team have done everything to win, but it is true that there has been some unacceptable behaviour that shows that in our country there is still a long way to go in terms of equality, respect and equal rights for women. Apologies are not enough, nor are they adequate. Mr Rubiales must continue to take steps to clarify what we has occurred,” said Sánchez.
Outcry
The media storm has been huge following Sunday’s incident and before Sánchez’s comments, Miquel Iceta, the Minister of Culture and Sport in Spain, stated 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”.
Rubiales duly published a video via the Spanish FA social media platforms where he stated: “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”, earlier stating: “I have to say that I got things wrong despite having a wonderful relationship with this player (Hermoso) 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”.