Audio By Carbonatix
Spain's prime minister says Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips was an "unacceptable gesture" and that his apology is "not enough".
Spanish football federation president Rubiales kissed forward Hermoso following Spain's 1-0 win over England in Sunday's Women's World Cup final.
Rubiales apologised on Monday and said he was "completely wrong".
"What we saw was an unacceptable gesture," prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday.
"Rubiales' apologies are not enough, I even think they are not adequate. He has to continue taking steps to clarify what we all saw.
"The players did everything to win but Rubiales' behaviour shows that there is still a long way to go for equality."
Spain's second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Diaz, Spain's called for Rubiales' resignation.
"Their excuses are useless," she said."[The Spain squad] have shown us many things about equality, not only in sports and football.
"They have shown us that there is still a lot to do in our country, that there is still a lot to do so that men and women can become equal."
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has called an extraordinary general assembly "as a matter of urgency".
Hermoso said on Instagram that she "didn't like" Rubiales' actions after the final, but a statement released later on the Spain forward's behalf defended him.
In a video released on Monday, Rubiales said: "It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed.
"I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful."
Rubiales has also been criticised by other Spanish government ministers and came under fire on social media for grabbing and kissing Hermoso.
Spain's equalities minster Irene Montero said: "It's a form of sexual violence women suffer on a daily basis", while sports minister Miquel Iceta told Spanish public radio it was "unacceptable" for Rubiales to kiss Hermoso.
Video footage circulated online after the match also showed Rubiales, who was sat in the VIP area of the stadium near Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Queen Letizia of Spain, grab his groin as he celebrated the final whistle.
Latest Stories
-
GRA assures it will meet GH¢225bn target for 2026 despite tax reform concerns
4 minutes -
Ofori-Atta Saga : Ex-appointees must face probes when invited – John Darko
10 minutes -
Haruna Mohammed rules out removal of names from NPP album
13 minutes -
Volta House of Chiefs nullifies enstoolment of Roland Adiko as paramount chief of Tanyigbe, affirms rotational succession
13 minutes -
FACT CHECK: Kennedy Agyapong’s claim that Adenta is a traditional NPP seat and that Bawumia did not campaign there is false
14 minutes -
Iran: Videos from mortuary show how deadly protests have become
16 minutes -
Over 2,000 screened as Ashanti Region Police recruitment exercise progresses
26 minutes -
Mallam Market chaos: Traders flout rules, crippling Accra-Kasoa Highway
26 minutes -
Preparations for NPP presidential primaries nearly complete — Haruna Mohammed
44 minutes -
AFCON 2025: the dominance of African coaches
46 minutes -
31 granted bail over illegal mining in Apramprama forest reserve
1 hour -
Son of Iran’s exiled late monarch urges supporters to replace embassy flags
1 hour -
Gold Empire Resources applauds gov’t crackdown on illegal mining; calls for prosecution of financiers and sponsors
1 hour -
Western North NPP raises alarm over cocoa sector neglect, cites lack of funds and jute sacks
2 hours -
Government still owes IPPs over $700m in legacy debt — JoyNews Research
2 hours
