Luis Rubiales apology for Jenni Hermoso kiss 'insufficient' - Spanish PM

Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales' apology for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup is "insufficient," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday.

"What we saw was an unacceptable gesture... and the apology he made is insufficient," Sanchez told a news conference when asked about the controversy over the unsolicited kiss.

Rubiales, who is also a member of UEFA's ruling executive committee and a vice-president of European football's governing body, issued a video statement on Monday after he was pictured kissing Hermoso on the lips during Sunday's medal ceremony in Sydney, after Spain had beaten England 1-0 in the final.

Footage has also emerged of Rubiales kissing goalscorer Olga Carmona, and of him celebrating Spain's win in the stadium's VIP area by grabbing his crotch.

Rubiales' behaviour in Australia was described as "unacceptable" by Spain's acting culture and sports minister Miquel Iceta. The minister called on Rubiales to explain his actions and apologise.

Rubiales' statement focused on the Hermoso kiss and did not reference his behaviour in the VIP box, where he was stood alongside Spain's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter Sofia.

"There is something I regret, and it was what happened between me and a player, with whom I have a fantastic relationship, just like with the others, where I have certainly made a mistake. I have to admit it,"

Rubiales said in his video address."In that moment of absolute exultation, without any bad intentions or bad faith, well... that happened. I believe it happened in a very spontaneous way, which I repeat had no bad intentions from either side."

From that point on, it wasn't interpreted that way as we carried on as