As Spain celebrated their first ever Women’s World Cup title, a controversial moment during the award ceremony took some of the shine away. Luis Rubiales, the Spanish Football Federation’s chief, shared an unexpected kiss with team leader Jenni Hermoso. The act that left viewers around the world more than a little startled. Watch below:
Jenni Hermoso kissed by Luis Rubiales
Credit – @tfdo_ on Instagram pic.twitter.com/hau2AiDOSl
— Women of Football (@WomenOfFoot) August 21, 2023
In a candid moment streamed from the team’s locker room, Hermoso and her squad caught the replay and gasped. Addressing the live audience’s buzz, she remarked, “Hey, but I didn’t like that!”
Despite the uproar, there was no information to suggest any personal ties between Hermoso and Rubiales. In her official statement covered by The Guardian she said:
“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings. The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Rubiales responded to the criticisms during a chat with Radio MARCA, commenting:
“There are idiots everywhere. When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t heed idiocy.”
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