REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The head of Spain's Olympic Committee on Friday said the actions of soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales, who unleashed a furore by grabbing and kissing a female footballer, were an "isolated incident" that did not represent Spanish sport as a whole.
It is unacceptable that an isolated incident should take the limelight away from our sportsmen and women," Spanish Olympic Committee President Alejandro Blanco told a news conference in Madrid.
"I refuse to accept that the image of a complicated, difficult moment, which should never have happened, should distort the reality of Spanish sport," he added.
Blanco said the gestures by Rubiales - whom he described as a personal friend - were "inappropriate, unacceptable" and could not be tolerated.
Blanco added that he had advised Rubiales in a phone call after the final to apologise, highlight the success for Spanish women's football and offer his resignation.
Persons:
Alejandro Blanco, Marcos Brindicci, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso's, Blanco, Rubiales, Letizia, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Conor Humphries
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, Spain's, Prosecutors, Spanish Olympic, Spanish, FIFA, Thomson
Locations:
Madrid, Buenos Aires, Rights MADRID, Sydney, Spain