The start of Spain’s campaign in the 2023 women’s football World Cup is marred by controversies as skipper Ivana Andres was seen mocking the Maori culture of New Zealand along with her teammates in a viral video on social media shared last week.
Australia and New Zealand are entrusted with the duty of hosting the showpiece event in women’s football. The video was posted when the European giants touched down in New Zealand last week.
Quite expectedly, Maori people and experts related to the culture took offence to the act and termed it as disrespectful to the community.
Fearing backlashes, Andres issued a statement of apology addressing the local members of the Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe), including the elders, at a powhiri (greeting) ritual in Palmerston North, where the Spanish team is staying.
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"We've only been in Aotearoa New Zealand for a few days and we have so much to learn about your culture," the 28-year-old said.
The centre-back mentioned the auspicious Matariki, the Maori New Year, in her speech.
"Therefore, thank you so much for the kindness to dedicate a few minutes of your wisdom, especially in such (an) important moment as Matariki."
"We'd also like to see Matariki as a way to renovate our excitement and for us to learn to enjoy, to share and to reach for new goals and to ask for forgiveness for our mistakes and to learn more each day," Ivana added.
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"We know how important mana (status) is for Maori people and therefore we'd like to celebrate that by giving you a jersey of our team."
She also gave a Spanish team’s official playing jersey to the guests attending the hour-long event, with the word Papaioea, the Maori name for Palmerston North, written on it.
"This shirt represents everything we have to fight for, our sacrifices, our victories, and we hope that you see the privilege we have of playing this tournament in your land," the captain concluded.
The indigenous people accepted the heartfelt apology, as evidenced by Iwi Spokesperson Professor Meihana Durie’s words.
"Their words came from the heart and there was an acknowledgement that they understood the haka is very precious, not only to Maori but to all of Aotearoa."
"In terms of what happened today at the powhiri, today was a very good outcome," Durie commented.
Spain will start their proceedings versus Costa Rica in Wellington on July 21.
