Pedro Sanchez said that Luis Rubiales’ apology was not enough

Government and soccer officials in Spain continue to criticize Luis Rubiales, the president of the country’s football federation, with the acting second deputy prime minister calling for his resignation after he kissed star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. Sunday after La Roja won the World Cup.

The kiss prompted a scream, and Rubiales at first called out his critics “idiots” before offering something of an apology in a video on Monday, saying he “made a mistake.” He added, “it seems that it has become a storm and so, if some people are hurt, I have to say sorry.”

However, Pedro Sánchez, the country’s acting prime minister, said on Tuesday that the response was “not enough” after greeting Rubiales and presenting the team with the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit at the Moncloa Palace – the residence of the prime minister.

“This shows that in our country there is a long way to go in terms of equality and respect between men and women,” Sanchez told reporters (via ESPN). “What we are seeing is an unacceptable gesture,” he said. “I think the apology given by Mr. Rubiales is not enough. I will say that it is not enough, and Mr. Rubiales should continue to take more steps. … The RFEF [football federation] not part of the Spanish government. The president is elected or removed by [the federation’s] members. Mr. Rubiales should take additional steps to clarify a behavior that is clearly unacceptable. His apology should be clearer and more convincing.”

Spain’s soccer president says kissing player on the lips is a ‘mistake’

Earlier, Yolanda Diaz, the country’s acting second deputy prime minister, called for the resignation of Rubiales, saying that he “harassed and assaulted” Hermoso. “Our strongest condemnation is what we saw,” he said in a video on social media. “Nothing else and nothing less, a woman was harassed and attacked.

“Yes [Rubiales’] excuses are useless. What we are asking is for the sports law to be enforced and the protocols of the sports federation to be activated. This person needs to resign. “

Miguel Iceta, Spain’s minister of culture and sport, described Rubiales’ actions as “unacceptable” and the Association for Women in Professional Sports in Spain accused Rubiales of “lack of ethics, irresponsibility and impossibility.” right.” the organization added that it would be “happy” to offer training on how to treat players.

Hermoso, the 33-year-old striker who is Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer, initially said in an Instagram Live video that he “didn’t want” the unexpected kiss and admitted it was not he was sure how he would react. In a later statement attributed to him and released by the Royal Spanish Football Federation through the Spanish news agency EFEhe said “it’s a completely spontaneous gesture because of the great joy that comes from winning a World Cup.”

The statement went on to say, “the president and I have a good relationship, his behavior towards all of us is exceptional and it is a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”

Irene Montero, minister of equality of Spain, written on social media Sunday: “Let’s not think of kissing without consent as something that ‘happened.’ It is a form of sexual violence that women suffer every day” and El País sports editor Nadia Tronchoni called the incident “an aggression.”

Natalia Torrento, who writes for Spanish sports website Revelo, WRITES Tuesday that Rubiales “begged Jenni Hermoso to appear” with him in the apology video and added that Coach Jorge Vilda “tried to mediate with the player’s relatives. He refused.”