Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was criticized on Sunday for kissing striker Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after La Roja defeated England in the World Cup final (1-0) .
Footage shot on the podium at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium clearly shows Rubiales kissing the player on the mouth while holding her head. Taken up by Spanish media, they spread like wildfire on social networks, sparking numerous criticisms of Rubiales.
The Spanish N.10 seems to have taken this incident lightly, declaring in a live on Instagram broadcast from the locker room “I didn’t like it, huh!” before smiling at the camera.
In statements then sent to the press by her federation, she explained that it was “a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that comes from winning a World Cup”.
“The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us was perfect and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,” she added.
“It’s a spontaneous celebration, which manifests itself in this way. The two are very close friends,” a Federation source told AFP.
Some Spanish newspapers initially believed in a remake of the formalization of the relationship between goalkeeper Iker Casillas and journalist Sara Carbonero, who kissed live after Spain’s world title in 2010.
The kiss of the president of the federation is part of a heavy context within the Spanish selection. Players have been denouncing for months the methods deemed “dictatorial” of the coach, Jorge Vilda, who enjoys the unwavering support of his president.
Luis Rubiales, in office since 2018, was also accused of having organized orgies with the money of the federation last September.