CNN —Ivana Andrés, the captain of the Spanish women’s national team, has apologized after the country’s football federation (RFEF) posted a now-deleted video on social media of four players appearing to mock New Zealand’s traditional haka.
The haka is a ceremonial Maori war dance, with many of the country’s national teams across a variety of sports performing their own version before matches.
Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the Spanish players and the federation were accused of being disrespectful towards the dance and Maori culture.
“We’ve only been here a few days in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and there’s still much to learn about this culture,” Andrés said at a traditional welcome ceremony, according to Reuters.
James Foy/FIFA/Getty ImagesAt the ceremony, Andrés gave the tribe a Spain jersey bearing the name Papaioea, the Maori name for the city of Palmerston North, where the ceremony was held.
Persons:
CNN — Ivana Andrés, “, ” Andrés, Andrés, Alexia Putellas, James Foy, ”
Organizations:
CNN, Spanish women’s national, Reuters, FIFA, Costa
Locations:
Australia, New Zealand, Spanish, Aotearoa , New Zealand, Palmerston North , New Zealand, Spain, Palmerston, Aotearoa, Costa Rica