Rubiales Stands Firm: No Resignation Amid Player Kiss
Friday, after a week of widespread criticism for his uninvited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory, Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign.
Rubiales, 46, was anticipated to resign from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after government ministers and sports figures demanded his resignation and FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him.
In contrast, his speech at an emergency meeting of the football federation was defiant.
“I will not resign,” yelled Rubiales.
“Would a consensual ‘peck’ be sufficient to get me out of here? “I will fight to the very end,” he added.
Rubiales stated that the pressure he has received this week from politicians and organizations constitutes an attempt to “publicly assassinate” him and that he will defend himself by “taking action” against these individuals.
Jorge Vilda, the controversial women’s coach for Spain, and several others at the meeting applauded his remarks.
The leader of the RFEF claimed that his kiss on Hermoso’s lips was consensual and done in the same manner as when he kissed his infant.
Rubiales stated, “It was a spontaneous, mutual, euphoric, and consensual kiss.”
Hermoso stated in a statement released on Wednesday that the women’s players’ union Futpro is defending her interests. Futpro stated that Rubiales’ behavior should not go “unpunished.”
On Friday, the leader of the RFEF railed against “false feminism” and claimed that he has been “hunted” since assuming his position in May 2018.
“When I make a mistake, it hurts, and I plead for forgiveness without equivocation, but I do not deserve the five-year, daily hunt that I have endured.
“I will continue fighting as my parents, coaches, and teammates have taught me,”
Rubiales addressed his detractors and insisted that his kiss could not be likened to sexual assault.
“For the love of God, what will women who have actually been sexually assaulted think?” remarked Rubiales.
His refusal to abdicate and fiery speech provoked an immediate response from politicians.
ALSO READ: Spanish Football Boss Admits Error: Kissed World Cup Star
“What we have seen today at the federation assembly is unacceptable,” wrote Yolanda Diaz, the second deputy prime minister, on social network X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The government must act immediately and adopt measures to end impunity for macho actions. Rubiales cannot continue to serve as mayor.”
The Spanish High Sports Council (CSD) stated that it would initiate action against Rubiales.
“As of right now, I have activated all the instruments within the CSD to take the appropriate measures within our control,” CSD president Victor Francos told Cadena Ser radio.
“(We will) analyze the complaints and the case… they have not sent us a formal report, but I assured them that this would not delay the process.”
He continued, “Today, I can already declare that we will take the case to Spain’s sports court, the TAD… I am genuinely stunned.”
The term ’embarrassment’
President of La Liga Javier Tebas, who has frequently clashed with Rubiales and the RFEF, was extremely critical.
“The misogynistic gestures, foul expressions, disastrous protocol, and insults of this latest global embarrassment come as no surprise,” said Tebas on X.
“The list of women and men wronged by Luis Rubiales in these years is too long, and this must stop.”
Rubiales did apologize for grasping his crotch during the final celebrations of Spain’s 1-0 victory over England while standing next to Queen Letizia.
“I want to apologize for the actions I committed in a moment of euphoria,” he said on Friday. “I grabbed that part of my body while looking at Jorge Vilda (the coach).”
“I was so emotionally distraught that I lost control and put my hands on you”
Along with the presidents of Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Sevilla, Rubiales was asked to step down by the Spanish Players’ Association (AFE), which he formerly commanded.
“If Mr. Rubiales does not resign immediately, the AFE demands that the applicable sports law be applied,” the organization said in a statement released Tuesday.
“We demand that the appropriate authorities take the necessary and resolute action that an incident of this gravity demands.”
Rubiales added that he had begun the process of awarding coach Vilda a new contract with a $540,000 annual salary.
Spain arrived at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand shrouded in controversy after 15 players refused to participate due to disagreements with the federation and complaints about Vilda’s methods, although some relented and three members of the winning squad eventually played.
Rubiales Stands Firm: No Resignation Amid Player Kiss