Spanish Prime Minister also criticises Rubiales for kissing Jenni Hermoso and does not accept his apology

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appeared before the media after the round of contacts he had with the King of Spain and spoke about Luis Rubiales: "The players have done everything to win, but there has been some behaviour like that of Mr Rubiales that if it shows anything, it is that in our country there is still a long way to go in terms of equality and respect between women and men."

The acting Prime Minister added: "What we saw was an unacceptable gesture, but also Mr Rubiales' apologies are not enough and are not even adequate, and therefore he has to continue to take steps to clarify what we all saw in the media," said Rubiales.

"I want us to keep the good part, because the success of being world champions, preceded by similar victories at U17 and U20 level, shows that we have great sportswomen and that women's football has strength, vigour and greater support and recognition that we in the Spanish government will continue to develop," he added.

"One of the first funds we set up under the Transformation and Resilience Plan was for women's football, infrastructure and clubs. And today's recognition of sporting merit at the Council of Ministers is further proof of Spanish society's support for the world champions," Sanchez added.

Can Luis Rubiales be sacked?

Pedro Sanchez wanted to clarify that the Government does not have the power to elect and remove Luis Rubiales as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation: "Perhaps the public does not know this, but the Spanish Football Federation does not belong to the structure or the organisation chart of the Spanish Government".

"The current president is elected and dismissed by his associates, but I have already said that we feel that these are insufficient and that Mr Rubiales has to take more steps to clarify a behaviour that is clearly unacceptable. It is not in line with the majority of Spaniards who are clearly in favour of equality between men and women. His statement of apology is insufficient, he needs to be much clearer and more forceful in his apology", said Pedro Sanchez before concluding the press conference.