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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez blasted the \u201cinsufficient\u201d apology given by Spain\u2019s football federation chief for kissing star player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips<\/a> after Spain won the Women\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales, 45, kissed Hermoso as he handed the Spanish team their gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday in Sydney, provoking outrage in Spain.<\/p>\n He kissed other players on the cheek or embraced them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we saw was an unacceptable gesture,\u201d Sanchez told a news conference when asked about the outcry over the unsolicited kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cI also think the apologies given by Mr Rubiales are insufficient. And I even think that they are inappropriate, and that he must go further,\u201d added Sanchez, a Socialist politician whose government has pushed through tougher laws on sexual consent and harassment.<\/p>\n The RFEF announced it would call an extraordinary general assembly on Friday \u201cas a matter of urgency\u201d to address the incident.<\/p>\n As the controversy over the kiss grew, Rubiales apologised<\/a> in a video posted on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was done without any ill intention in a moment of the highest exuberance. Here we saw it as natural and normal but outside it has caused a commotion.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no choice but to apologise and to learn from this \u2026 and when representing the federation take more care,\u201d he said, adding that he thought the furore was \u201cidiotic\u201d.<\/p>\n Rubiales also said he had a \u201cmagnificent relationship\u201d with Hermoso.<\/p>\n According to Revelo\u2019s Natalia Torrente<\/a>, Rubiales \u201cbegged\u201d Hermoso to appear in his apology video alongside him.<\/p>\n Coach Jorge Vilda reportedly approached Hermoso\u2019s family three times, hoping she would appear in the video with Rubiales.<\/p>\n Player \u2018didn\u2019t like\u2019 unsolicited kiss<\/b><\/p>\n On Sunday, the 33-year-old player posted a video on Instagram showing the celebrations in the changing room in which she responded to teasing from teammates by saying: \u201cI didn\u2019t like it, eh!\u201d while laughing.<\/p>\n She later played down the incident in a statement released by the federation, saying it was \u201ca totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe president and I have a great relationship. His behaviour with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude,\u201d she added, according to the federation statement.<\/p>\n Video footage circulated online after the match also showed Rubiales, who was sitting in the VIP area of the stadium, near Spain\u2019s Queen Letizia and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, grab his groin as he celebrated the final whistle.<\/p>\n Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz had on Monday called for Rubiales to resign, saying \u201chis excuses do not work at all\u201d, while Equality Minister Irene Montero said a non-consensual kiss is \u201ca kind of sex violence all women suffer daily\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very simple. Two people kiss if they both want to, if there is consent. Only yes is yes,\u201d Montero added on social media.<\/p>\n The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) demanded that the \u201crelevant authorities adopt the measures necessary\u201d given the \u201cseriousness\u201d of the incident.<\/p>\n The AFE said: \u201cThe Higher Sports Council\u2019s protocol for action against sexual violence includes \u2018Kissing by force\u2019 \u2026 as \u2018Unacceptable conduct that brings immediate consequences\u2019.\u201d Spain\u2019s preparations for the World Cup were thrown into disarray last September when 15 players sent an email to the Spanish federation saying they did not want to be considered for selection.<\/p>\n Their protest was aimed chiefly at coach Jorge Vilda<\/a> and his methods, including complaints that he is too strict.<\/p>\n Rubiales supported Vilda and only three of the 15 were recalled for the World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n