Megan Rapinoe has accused Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales of ‘physically assaulting’ Jenni Hermoso.

Rubiales is under intense pressure to resign as Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president after being caught on camera kissing Hermoso on the lips.

It happened after Spain won the World Cup after beating England 1-0 on Sunday at Stadium Australia at the medals ceremony.

As Hermoso took her medal and made her way across the podium, Rubiales kissed the 33-year-old on the lips, something she went on to say that she ‘did not enjoy’.

It has led to a huge backlash against Rubiales, including from prominent women’s footballer Rapinoe, who retired after the United States were knocked out of the World Cup this year.

She told The Atlantic: “It made me think about how much we are required to endure.

“Think how much that Spanish team had to shoulder: Some of the players who stood up way back last year [in protest at treatment from their federation and their coach] still aren’t on the team.

“Maybe that was something that galvanized them, but you shouldn’t have to have that.

“There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.

“What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni has to be physically assaulted by this guy.”

On Monday, Rubiales apologised for his actions and said: “I was completely wrong, I have to admit it.

“It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement. In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed.

“I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.”

Rubiales also come under fire for grabbing his crotch while standing with Queen Letizia and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Spain arrived at the World Cup as huge underdogs after 15 players told the RFEF last year that they did not want to be selected until coach Jorge Vilda stepped down.

In the end, three were selected but the other 12 stayed at home as the team as La Roja went on to claim a famous victory in Australia and New Zealand.

Olga Carmona scored the only goal in the final against England while Mary Earps saved a penalty but it was not enough as the Lionesses fell at the the final hurdle.