Luis Rubiales, the president of Spain’s soccer federation, is under fire for his “inappropriate” behavior after kissing veteran player, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips as the team celebrated their first-ever World Cup win. In a video that has gained millions of views on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rubiales was seen grabbing and kissing Hermoso on the lips as the team received their medals. He was also seen kissing other players on the face during their celebrations. Hermoso was seen in the locker room after the fact saying “I didn’t like that,” according to The Associated Press and BBC. When asked about the kiss in an interview with Spain’s La 1, she said “Yeah I did not enjoy that.” She later told Cadena COPE that the gesture was “no big deal,” and downplayed the incident in an interview with Spain’s EFE. “It was a mutual, totally spontaneous gesture because of the huge joy of winning a World Cup,” she said. “The ‘presi’ and I have a great relationship. His behavior with us has been a ’10.’ It was a natural gesture, of affection and gratitude. We’ve won a World Cup, and we won’t get away from what’s important.” Rubiales responded to the people who criticized him, calling them “idiots,” according to ESPN. “There are idiots everywhere,” Rubiales said. “When two people have a gesture of affection, that isn’t important, we can’t pay attention to idiocy. We’re [world] champions and I’ll focus on that.”

Many people did not agree that the gesture was “no big deal.” Irene Montero, the Spanish Equality Minister, reacted on X saying, “Let’s not assume that giving a kiss without consent is something ‘that happens.’” She added saying,  “It is a form of sexual violence that women suffer on a daily basis and until now invisible, and that we cannot normalize. It is the task of the whole society. Consent in the center. Only yes is yes.” In a statement from FIFPRO, the world players’ union, they responded to the situation saying, “It is deeply lamentable that such a special moment for the players of the Spain national team that was taking place before a global television audience should be stained by the inappropriate conduct of an individual in a role carrying so much responsibility.” They continued by saying, “Uninitiated and uninvited physical gestures towards players are not appropriate or acceptable in any context,” the statement said, according to the AP. “This is especially true when players are put in a position of vulnerability because a physical approach or gesture is initiated by a person who holds power over them.”