Luis Rubiales has refused to resign over the backlash after he kissed Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)
The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has refused to resign in spite of the backlash over him kissing Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final without her consent.
Despite speculation he would quit the post in the wake of the incident he has now said: ‘I’m going to fight until the end..is it serious enough for me to leave? I am not going to resign. I am not going to resign. I am not going to resign.
‘Politicians have referred to this action as sexual violence, without consent, assault… these people are trying to assassinate me publicly and I am going to defend myself like all Spaniards, in court. I will take action against these people.’
As the controversy over the incident continues, who is Luis Rabiales?
Who is Luis Rubiales?
Luis Rubiales, 46, is a former professional footballer who played as a defender during his career on the pitch.
He was born in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, and began his career in youth football playing for clubs Motril, Valencia and Atletico Madrid.
His senior career saw him playing for the likes of Guadix CF, RCD Mallorca B, UE Lleida, Xerez CD, Levante UD and Alicante CF.
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He reached the Spanish top flight in August 2004, coming on as a late substitute in a 1-1 away draw against Real Sociedad.
Rubiales had a brief stint with Scottish club Hamilton Academicals, signing a one-year deal – but he made only a few appearances for them before returning to Spain.
He was elected president of the Association of Spanish Footballers in 2010 and president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in 2018.
What happened between Luis and Jenni Hermoso?
The controversial incident – which has also been slammed by the Spanish Prime Minister – occurred at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday when Rubiales grabbed Hermoso, 33, by the head and kissed her on the lips, with the forward later saying she ‘did not like it’.
A statement later that same evening claiming to be from Hermoso in which the incident was downplayed is now believed to have been written by the Spanish FA’s (RFEF) communications team.
Luis Rubiales recorded an apology video after the incident (Picture: BBC)
Rubiales recorded an apology video on Monday – which Hermoso refused to appear in despite multiple requests – but that has done little to quell the backlash, with even Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, saying it ‘was not adequate’.
Hermoso has since confirmed, via her union FUTPRO, that she will be pursuing action against the RFEF president, after she refused to appear in an apology video he put out in which he said he would ‘learn’ from his actions.
Spain took the trophy after a 1-0 victory over England in the final (Picture: Getty Images)
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He said in a press conference on Friday:‘I want to give my explanation about the peck, it was a peck. The desire that I could have giving that kiss was the same desire that I could have giving my daughter a kiss, here there was no dominance.
‘It was spontaneous, mutual and consensual. It was consensual. I have a great relationship with all the players and we had very affectionate moments in this tournament.
‘The moment Jenni appeared, she picked me up from the ground and when she left me we hugged and I told her forget about the penalty, you’ve been fantastic in this World Cup and she told me you’re a star, and it happened.’
MORE : Women’s football has reached a ‘golden age’ says former Lioness Anita Asante
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Controversy erupted over the kiss at the Women’s World Cup in Sydney.