The chief of Spain's soccer federation marred the nation's Women's World Cup victory after kissing a participant on the lips through the medal ceremony, drawing criticism for inappropriate conduct in a sport that has struggled to beat sexism.

The Spanish authorities and the world gamers' union condemned the behaviour of Luis Rubiales on Monday, a day after Spain's 1-0 win over England. The soccer federation led by Rubiales sought to downplay the incident via an announcement it attributed to the participant he kissed, then later launched a video through which Rubiales apologised.

Immediately after Spain's victory, Rubiales grabbed his crotch in a victory gesture — seemingly oblivious to 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofía standing close by.

He later kissed participant Jenni Hermoso on the lips through the medal and trophy ceremony on the sphere, drawing undesirable consideration away from the celebration and souring the nation's largest day for girls's soccer.

The kiss was surprising given the game's long-standing allegations of sexual misconduct by male soccer presidents and coaches towards feminine gamers on nationwide groups. Two of the 32 World Cup groups, Haiti and Zambia, needed to cope with the problem whereas qualifying for the event co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Spain's performing minister for sports activities and tradition Miquel Iceta advised public broadcaster RNE "it is unacceptable to kiss a player on the lips to congratulate her."

The world gamers' union referred to as the kiss "deeply lamentable."

On Sunday, Spain's authorities equality minister had a good stronger response.

“It is a form of sexual violence that women suffer on a daily basis, and which has been invisible so far, and which we should not normalise,” Irene Montero mentioned wrote Sunday on X, the social media platform previously often known as Twitter.

The Spanish soccer federation launched an announcement late Sunday, attributed to Hermoso, to attempt to settle the controversy.

“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture due to the immense joy of winning a World Cup,” Hermoso mentioned within the federation's assertion.

“The president and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with all of us has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude.”

But on Monday the federation launched a video assertion of Rubiales apologizing and acknowledging he “surely made a mistake” however in “a moment of maximum effusiveness.”

“When you are president of an institution as important as the federation, you have to be more careful,” Rubiales mentioned within the video.

Rubiales, 45, led the world gamers' union's Spanish affiliate for eight years earlier than being elected to steer the nationwide soccer federation in 2018. The Spanish squad was in near-mutiny final 12 months due to some gamers' complaints concerning the tradition beneath coach Jorge Vilda.

After the sport, when Hermoso handed alongside the road of soccer dignitaries to gather her medal, Rubiales put his arms to her head and kissed her on the lips. He additionally hugged a number of different gamers and put his arm round Queen Letizia of Spain.

In an Instagram video within the dressing room after the incident, the gamers screamed and laughed whereas watching the kiss being replayed on a telephone.

Hermoso may be seen laughing and shouting, “But I didn't like it!” Asked by different gamers what she was doing, she shouted, “Look at me, look at me,” intimating she could not do a lot about it.

FIFPRO, the Netherlands-based gamers' union, took a harsh view of Rubiales' actions.

“It is deeply lamentable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team that was taking place before a global television audience should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility,” the union mentioned in an announcement.

“Uninitiated and uninvited physical gestures towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context. This is especially true when players are put in a position of vulnerability because a physical approach or gesture is initiated by a person who holds power over them.”

Rubiales is also a UEFA vice chairman and was the European soccer physique's most senior elected consultant on the last in Australia.

Video clips filmed after the ultimate whistle of Sunday's match present Rubiales celebrating the victory within the entrance row of an unique part close to the queen of Spain and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Rubiales jumped with each arms within the air, pointing with each index fingers towards the sphere, then briefly grabbed his crotch together with his proper hand.

The former participant has a key function in wooing soccer officers over the subsequent 12 months whereas attempting to safe internet hosting rights for the boys's World Cup in 2030. Spain leads a joint bid with Portugal, Morocco and, at present, Ukraine for the 48-team event and is favoured to win subsequent 12 months's resolution.

UEFA and FIFA didn't instantly reply Monday to requests for remark about Rubiales's conduct.