Spanish star, Jennifer Hermoso has downplayed the incident where the country’s FA President, Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony.
Hermoso, 33, released a statement to the media after the controversial kiss went viral and attracted strong criticism of Rubiales, 45.
The incident occurred as the Spanish players collected their winners’ medals.
An apparently excited Rubiales went around hugging and kissing every player on the cheek.
When he got to Hermoso, who is the all-time top scorer for both FC Barcelona Femení and the Spanish Women’s team, he grabbed her by the head and kissed her on the lips.
Rubiales followed up the kiss with an announcement to the players that a trip to Ibiza – a reward for winning the World Cup – would also be a chance to ‘celebrate the wedding of Jenni and Luis Rubiales’.
In her initial reaction on an Instagram Live from the dressing room, Hermoso said she ‘didn’t like it’.
Amid huge backlash for the FA President, the player changed course, describing the controversial kill as a ‘natural expression of affection’.
Maintaining that Rubiales shares an excellent relationship with the squad, the player said the kiss was a “completely spontaneous mutual gesture due to the immense joy of winning a World Cup”.
“The president and I have a great relationship; his behaviour towards all of us has been exemplary, and it was a natural expression of affection and gratitude.
“There’s no need to overanalyse a gesture of friendship and gratitude; we’ve won a World Cup, and we won’t stray from what’s important,” the player’s statement read in part.
Spain claimed the World Cup on Sunday courtesy of a 1-0 victory over England.