The president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, has come in for criticism after he kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday night.
As the players came by, Rubiales greeted all the world champions one by one with hugs and effusive kisses that, in one case, got a little out of hand.
When congratulating Jenni Hermosa, the Pachuca player, the president gave her a kiss on the mouth, amidst the laughter of the president and player.
The moment surprised those watching on around the world, with many taking to social media to ask what had just happened.
The kiss – delivered on stage during the official post-match ceremony – was captured on camera and the vision prompted outrage on social media.
¿Lo de Rubiales? pic.twitter.com/H7ZaAQ0RxU
— Darío (@Youpsico) August 20, 2023
As celebrations continued in the locker room, Hermoso was asked and ribbed about the kiss, to which she responded amid laugh and smile, “Hey, I didn’t like that”.
In comments later provided to media she appeared to clarify her position, saying it was a “natural gesture of affection”.
“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” said Hermoso, in comments given to AFP by the Spanish federation.
