Luis Rubiales refuses to step down as Spanish FA chief
4 Min Read
The Spanish Football Association's chief still refuses to resign after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso after her team's 1-0 win over England in the Women's World Cup final in Australia.
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President of Spain's soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, after the World Cup victory in Madrid Spain, on August 22, 2023. (AP)
Luis Rubiales slammed "false feminism" and a "social assassination" of his character as he vowed to continue as president of Spain's football federation (RFEF) in the face of fierce criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso after her team's 1-0 win over England in the Women's World Cup final in Australia on Sunday. He initially attacked the claims but eventually apologized.
In its statement, La Liga F stated that "The Professional Women's Football League has lodged a complaint with the President of the Superior Sports Council (CSD) after the very serious actions and behavior of the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, at the final of the Women's World Cup, and is calling for his dismissal."
"One of the greatest feats in the history of Spanish sport has been tainted by the embarrassing behavior of the highest representative of Spanish football who, once again, and guided by his continuous and habitual desire for leadership, has revealed to not be up to the position he occupies," the statement added.
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The 46-year-old maintained in an emotional statement before an emergency general meeting of Spain's football federation that he would not be driven out of his position by what he saw as a witch-hunt. "I will not resign," he stated unequivocally. "I will fight this to the end."
He described the recent events as "false feminism" and "social assassination," adding that they were "trying to kill" him.
Rubiales linked the events of the past days to what he described as "false feminism, one of the scourges of this country." The remark sparked a smattering of applause from the federation members in the audience.
Spain's government reacts
The Spanish government has begun legal proceedings in order to suspend the chief, according to a government official on Friday.
Victor Francos, head of the state-run National Sports Council explained in a news conference that the government began the procedure "so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Sport Court and if the Sport Court agrees, I can announce that we will suspend Mr. Rubiales from his functions."
Yolanda Díaz, Spain's acting labor minister and second deputy prime minister posted on social media that the incident was "unacceptable," adding that the government "must act and take urgent measures: impunity for machista [male chauvinist] actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in the position."
The country’s acting minister of equality, Irene Montero, called the kiss a "form of sexual violence" and posted that Rubiales's refusal to resign means he is seeking impunity.
On Friday, Rubiales claimed that the kiss on Hermoso was consensual and that he had asked her if he might give her a peck. She nodded and said okay, according to him.
However, Hermoso stated on a live stream shortly after the kiss, which was administered on stage at the formal post-match ceremony, that she "didn't like it."
After pressure from the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the FIFA disciplinary committee notified Rubiales on Thursday that his conduct in Sydney may have broken the disciplinary rule.
Furthermore, the Futpro union in Spain, which Hermoso claims is protecting her interests in this matter, has issued a "firm and resounding condemnation" of behavior "violating the dignity of women."
