Spanish football chief apologises after outrage over his 'kiss' to female player | Women's World Cup 2023

Spanish football federation's president Luis Rubiales has issued an apology for kissing Jenni Hermoso, a midfielder, after Spain won the Women's World Cup on August 20.

In a video statement Rubiales admitted that he made a mistake and accepted it.

'In a moment of such emotion, without any bad intention or bad faith, what happened, happened, in a very spontaneous way. [There was] no bad faith from either side,' the 45-year-old said in the video.

He added that though they viewed it as something natural, it has caused a stir in the world and he has no choice but to apologise.

Rubiales continued his apology stating, 'There are also some things which I said where, within this context, I said it seemed like idiocy. On the inside, nobody had seen it as important, but on the outside they had. So I want to apologize to those people. I'm sure they'll have their reasons. I'm also saddened, because this is the biggest success in our history in women's football, the second World Cup that we've won, and this has affected the celebration.'

His apology came after widespread uproar over his action including condemnation by Spain's Sports Minister Miquel Iceta who termed the gesture as 'unacceptable'.

Jenni Hermoso, the player, had seemingly defended and downplayed Rubiales' action in a Federation statement saying that it was mutual and not a big deal.

However, Hermoso had also stated during an Instagram livestream that 'she didn't like it (the kiss'.