Spain PM Blasts Football Boss Over FIFA World Cup Kiss Controversy

MADRID, Aug 23: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday blasted as "insufficient" the apology given by Spain's football federation chief for kissing star player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup. 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.

He kissed other players on the cheek or embraced them.

"What we saw was an unacceptable gesture," Sanchez told a news conference when asked about the outcry over the unsolicited kiss.

"I also think the apologies given by Mr Rubiales are insufficient. And I even think that they are inappropriate and that he must go further," added Sanchez, a Socialist politician whose government has pushed through tougher laws on sexual consent and harassment.

The RFEF announced later Tuesday that it would call an extraordinary general assembly on Friday "as a matter of urgency" to address the incident.

As the controversy over the kiss grew, Rubiales apologised on Monday in a video posted on social media.

"It 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.

"I have no choice but to apologise and to learn from this... and when representing the federation take more care," he said, adding that he thought the furore was "idiotic".

Rubiales also said he had a "magnificent relationship" with Hermoso.

"The 21st century should be -- I am convinced it will be -- the century of women on all fronts," Prime Minister Sanchez said earlier on Tuesday at a reception for Spain's winning team.

"I believe women's football, women's sport, has a brilliant future -- all we can say as representatives of Spanish society is that Spain is proud of you, of what you achieved and how you achieved."