By Senhan Bolelli
MADRID (AA) - Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accepted the women's national football team at his official residence, Moncloa Palace in Madrid.
Sanchez said the success achieved will be the beginning of many good things to happen for women's football and sports in the country.
"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done, how you have done it and how you have made us enjoy," Sanchez said.
"I believe that the pride in what you have achieved, the admiration for how you have played to achieve that World Cup and the eternal gratitude of the whole of the Spanish society," he added.
Sanchez stressed that women's football and women's sports have a bright future and claimed that "it will be the beginning of many good things" that are going to happen for women's football and for women's sports in Spain.
Sanchez added that the team members will be awarded Spain's golden medal of sports achievement in honor of their victory.
- Football federation president Rubiales may step down
On the other hand, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso, one of the national team players, on the lips during the medal ceremony at the World Cup, sparked controversy.
Although Rubiales apologized by admitting his mistake, several ministers, politicians and non-governmental organizations in Spain harshly criticized him and demanded his resignation.
It was also noteworthy that Prime Minister Sanchez greeted Rubiales in a distant manner during the reception.
*Writing by Selcuk Bugra Gokalp