Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has slammed the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, for kissing Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.

Sanchez, who described the action as an unacceptable gesture, said, “Apologies are not enough considering the magnitude of the incident.”

Rubiales grabbed and kissed Hermoso on the lips on the podium during the trophy presentation ceremony of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

This incident came after Spain defeated England 1-0 to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Hermoso, on her part, admitted she did not like the gesture but went on to speak out in defence of Rubiales.

The Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, Yolanda Diaz, also criticised Rubiales.

Diaz demanded his resignation, saying, “a woman has been harassed and assaulted.”

In the same vein, the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, said she perceived the incident as a “form of sexual violence.”