Luis Rubiales has faced widespread criticism for his actions at the Women's World Cup final. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

Few people will have heard of basketball star Fred Carter. He played from 1969 to 1977 mainly for the Philadelphia 76ers.

And cards on the table, up until this week I’d never heard of him either.

You see Fred, who was nicknamed Mad Dog or Doggy, is widely regarded as the man who invented the fist bump.

I was never a big fist bumper until about eight years ago when I worked for a television station in the Cayman Islands, in the Caribbean.

We had a technician called Lenny from Jamaica who, each morning, made it his business to walk around the entire building to greet everyone with a fist bump. Thanks to Lenny, it’s become an integral part of my life.

I was even given a fist bump by none other than sprint superstar Usain Bolt on one occasion.

I fist bump colleagues, friends, and staff at my local bia hơi on a daily basis. I find it more meaningful than a handshake, and more personal than a simple ‘hello’.

It’s not invasive, can’t possibly be deemed offensive, and is 100 per cent not in the slightest bit sexist.

And because reduced skin contact results in reduced bacterial transfer, a 2014 study has recommended that the fist bump and high five be adopted as a more hygienic alternative to the handshake.

I’m a big fan. And we should all do it more and more.

One person who really should have bumped, is Spain’s Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, who, as you all know, caused a storm of gargantuan proportions after planting a kiss on the lips of star player Jennifer Hermoso after she helped her team win the Women’s World Cup.

This week, Hermoso has filed an official complaint with prosecutors against Rubiales which means he will be investigated for an alleged crime of sexual aggression.

Rubiales is digging his heels in, claiming the kiss was mutual and although he has apologised, he’s refusing to stand down as President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation, it’s fair to say his actions have cast a huge shadow on what should have been Spain’s proudest moment for women’s football.

Footballers in Spain, both male and female, have come out in support of Hermoso, with many players wearing t-shirts and holding banners to get their message across.

Andres Iniesta, who won the men’s World Cup with Spain in 2010, condemned Rubiales’ behaviour, saying on social media that the now suspended football federation president was “damaging the image of our country and our football around the world.”

He’s not wrong. Rubiales’ moment of madness has overshadowed the team’s remarkable achievement.

If only he’d have fist bumped instead of lip smacked. VNS