Spain captain apologizes after haka video is criticized by indigenous Maori before Women’s World Cup

By STEVE McMORRAN
AP Sports Writer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Spain captain Ivana Andres has apologized to the Maori people of New Zealand for a video showing four members of her country’s Women’s World Cup squad mocking the traditional haka which was shared a week ago on social media. The video was posted shortly after the team’s arrival in New Zealand but was removed when experts of Maori culture and protocol condemned it as disrespectful. Andres read a statement of apology to elders and members of the local Rangitane O Manawatu people at a greeting ceremony in the North Island city of Palmerston North where the Spain team is based.