Spanish Football Association issues an apology for the ‘completely unacceptable’ behavior of Luis Rubiales after kissing Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has issued a formal apology for the ‘completely inappropriate’ conduct of President Luis Rubiales, who kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory over England.
Rubiales has faced severe criticism for his actions in the aftermath of Spain’s historic triumph when Hermoso received her winners’ medal, sparking outrage in the footballing world.
FIFA has already suspended him for three months, while they are pushing for a 15-year ban from all football. Regional Spanish presidents are also urging his resignation.
Now, the RFEF has released a strongly worded statement, led by interim chief Pedro Rocha, describing the incident as ’embarrassing’ and one that has ‘stained the reputation of our sport’.
The statement reads: ‘The Royal Spanish Football Federation, represented by its President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, deems it necessary to offer its sincerest apologies for the entirely unacceptable behavior of its highest institutional representative during the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the subsequent moments.
‘Spanish society has long been an exemplar of tolerance and civility, in all spheres of life, both social and political, as well as in the realm of sportsmanship, a reputation it has upheld for decades in all sporting events.
‘The recent actions of Mr. Luis Rubiales have tarnished the nobility and international prestige of our society and our sport. The damage inflicted upon Spanish football, Spanish sport, Spanish society, and the values of football and sportsmanship as a whole has been substantial.
‘The RFEF wishes to extend its profound regret to society at large and to the entire world of football for this regrettable incident, which has blemished our national team, our football, and our society.
‘We deeply regret the harm caused and, therefore, we request the most sincere apologies and a resolute commitment to ensuring that such incidents never recur.’
‘FIFA, as the global governing body of football, and the Spanish sports authorities have taken immediate and appropriate measures, initiating disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Rubiales. In FIFA’s case, they have promptly suspended him from his duties as president of the RFEF,’ the statement further adds.
‘We are particularly distressed and embarrassed by the additional suffering and turmoil this incident has brought about. Mr. Rubiales’ actions do not reflect the values upheld by the Spanish Federation, nor the values of Spanish society at large. His actions are solely and entirely his responsibility, before society, sports bodies, and, if necessary, the courts.
‘We regret that this incident has disrupted what should have been a continuous celebration of football for both our national team and England’s Lionesses, who proved to be exceptional opponents in a thrilling final.’
Jenni Hermoso has since stated that the kiss was not consensual, leading to dozens of Spanish players going on strike, and almost all coaching staff resigning in protest.
In Spain, the Sports Administrative Tribunal (TAD) has opened a case against the 46-year-old, though it is classified as ‘serious’ rather than ‘very serious’ misconduct.
While the investigation is ongoing, Rubiales cannot be suspended. However, Sports and Culture Minister Miquel Iceta criticized the president for ‘abusing his authority’ and damaging the sport’s image.
In response, Rubiales asserted, ‘I am a victim of an unprecedented political and media witch-hunt. I have been deliberately marginalized. Nonetheless, I have provided all the pertinent evidence that substantiates the facts. This evidence will transcend opinions and clear my name.’
He also claimed that he was ‘advancing the feminist cause’ and that his case would be significant for ‘real victims of aggression.’
Rubiales has already faced condemnation from several voices, including Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, who initially supported him before apologizing and deeming his support ‘indefensible.’
Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team
Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is the team responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing news and feature content on Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, and responsibly sourced information.
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team researches, writes, edits, and publishes news and feature content covering Nigerian current affairs, entertainment, sports, health, business, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide accurate, timely, and responsibly sourced information and update our reports when credible new information becomes available.
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist.
Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available.
We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story.
Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories.
Team BIo:
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist.
Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available.
We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story.
Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories.
Editorial Policy:
At Julian Daily Gist, our goal is to provide readers with timely, useful, accurate, and responsibly presented news and information.
We cover Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, human-interest stories, and other topics of interest to our readers.
1. Accuracy and Verification
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published on Julian Daily Gist is accurate and presented in its proper context.
Before publishing a report, our editorial team makes reasonable efforts to:
- Check information against credible sources.
- Verify names, dates, locations, figures, and other important details.
- Attribute information to the appropriate source.
- Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, opinions, and speculation.
- Update stories when credible new information becomes available.
When information cannot be independently verified, we make this clear to readers rather than presenting it as established fact.
2. Sources
We use a range of sources, including:
- Official government statements.
- Police and security agencies.
- Courts and legal documents.
- Government agencies.
- Direct interviews and statements.
- Reputable news organizations.
- Publicly available records.
- Verified social media accounts and statements.
When an article relies substantially on information reported by another publication, we aim to clearly attribute the information to that source.
We do not intentionally present another publication's reporting as our own.
3. Originality
Julian Daily Gist aims to provide original editorial value.
When we report information that has already been published elsewhere, we seek to add value through original writing, context, verification, analysis, additional information, or other useful material.
We do not intentionally copy and republish articles from other websites without appropriate attribution and meaningful editorial contribution.
4. Allegations and Sensitive Claims
When reporting allegations involving individuals or organizations, we make reasonable efforts to clearly identify allegations as allegations.
We avoid presenting unproven accusations as established facts.
Where relevant, we seek or include responses from the person, organization, or representative concerned.
For criminal matters, we recognize that an allegation, arrest, charge, or accusation does not by itself establish guilt.
5. Headlines
Our headlines are intended to accurately reflect the content of our articles.
We aim to avoid deliberately misleading headlines, fabricated claims, or headlines that exaggerate facts simply to generate clicks.
6. Corrections and Updates
We take corrections seriously.
If we discover that an article contains a significant factual error, we may correct or update the article as appropriate.
Readers who identify an error are encouraged to contact us with specific information supporting the correction.
Where appropriate, significant corrections or updates may be noted within the article.
7. Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, and other external interests.
Advertising or sponsorship does not automatically influence our editorial decisions or the opinions expressed by our writers.
8. Sponsored and Promotional Content
Where Julian Daily Gist publishes sponsored, paid, or promotional content, we aim to clearly identify it as such.
Sponsored content does not necessarily represent the independent editorial views of Julian Daily Gist.
9. Conflicts of Interest
Our editorial team should avoid situations where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence reporting.
Where a relevant conflict of interest exists, we aim to disclose it when appropriate.
10. Use of Images and Other Media
We aim to use images, videos, graphics, and other media responsibly and with appropriate permission, licensing, attribution, or other lawful basis where required.
We do not knowingly use copyrighted material in a manner that infringes the rights of its owner.
If you believe that material published on Julian Daily Gist infringes your copyright, please contact us so that we can review the matter.
11. Artificial Intelligence
We may use technology and artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain editorial tasks, such as research support, proofreading, formatting, transcription, or drafting assistance.
However, AI-generated information is not treated as automatically accurate. Content remains subject to human review, editing, fact-checking, and editorial judgment before publication where appropriate.
We do not intentionally publish fabricated information generated by AI.
12. Privacy and Personal Information
We take reasonable care when handling personal information and avoid publishing unnecessary private information about individuals.
Sensitive personal information is published only when there is a legitimate public-interest reason and where appropriate.
Our handling of visitor information is explained in our Privacy Policy.
13. Opinion and Commentary
Opinion articles and commentary represent the views expressed by the respective writer or contributor.
Where appropriate, opinion content will be identified as commentary, analysis, or opinion so that readers can distinguish it from straightforward news reporting.
14. User-Generated Content
Comments and other material submitted by readers may be moderated.
We reserve the right to remove content that is unlawful, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, misleading, threatening, spam-related, or otherwise inappropriate.
User comments do not necessarily represent the views of Julian Daily Gist.
15. Our Commitment
We are committed to improving the quality, accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of Julian Daily Gist.
As our publication grows, we will continue reviewing our editorial practices and updating this policy when necessary.
16. Contact and Corrections
If you have a correction, clarification, complaint, copyright concern, or question about our editorial practices, please contact us through our Contact Us page.
