Spain PM Blasts Football Boss Over FIFA World Cup Kiss Controversy, Calls Apology 'Insufficient'

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.

- 'Didn't like it' -

On Sunday, the 33-year-old player posted a video on Instagram showing the celebrations in the changing room in which she responded to teasing from teammates by saying: "I didn't like it, eh!" while