Spain midfielder Jennifer Hermoso has officially spoken out after Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed her on Sunday following the team’s World Cup win.
FUTPRO, the union that represents women’s players in Spain, released a statement with Hermoso, calling on action from the Spanish federation.
“We ask the RFEF to implement the necessary protocols and to ensure the rights of our players and adopt exemplary measures,” the statement said. “It is essential that our national team is represented by figures that project its values of equality and respect in all areas.”
Hermoso did speak about the kiss briefly in press conferences after the World Cup win, saying that she “didn’t like” the kiss and said “But what can I do?”
Rubiales’s first comments on the incident only incited further displeasure after he called anyone who believed his actions were inappropriate “idiots and stupid people” who should be ignored, according to The Guardian. He initially refused to officially apologise.
Spain’s minister for culture and sport, Miquel Iceta, called the president’s actions “unacceptable,” and some fans called for Rubiales to resign.
By Tuesday, Rubiales apologised for his actions and stated that he “made a mistake.”
“I have to learn from this and understand that a president of an institution as important as the federation—above all in ceremonies and that kind of thing—should be more careful,” Rubiales said.