Spanish football federation president, Luis Rubiales, has announced he will not resign following heavy backlash over his indecent gesture towards Spain women footballer, Jenni Hermoso.
The 46-year-old Spain football Chief grabbed Jenni Hermoso, 33, on the head and planted on a kiss on her lips live on stage while celebrating the players for their FIFA Women’s World Cup victory over England.
It was the first time Spain clinch the coveted trophy in women football, thanks to Carmona’s lone goal.
However, the celebration has been overshadowed by Rubiales’ obscene gesture as he celebrated the victorious La Roja players.
Apart from the controversial World Cup kiss on Hermoso, Luis Rubiales also tinkered with the sensitivities of Spanish football fans when he was also spotted grabbing his crotch while celebrating on the stands.
After the tournament, Luis Rubiales’ gesture has continued to generate reactions with many football fans, pundits, and Spanish officials calling for him to resign. He has apologized for the gesture but maintained he was enraptured by the emotions of the moment.
Jenni Hermoso said she was not comfortable with Luis Rubiales’ gesture but has defended the football chief amid calls for him to resign.
Luis Rubiales says he will not resign
In a rather shocking decision amid the heavy backlash, Luis Rubiales has stated categorically clear he will not resign.
Addressing a general assembly called by the Spanish football federation, Rubiales said he has been wrongly targeted and will never resign.
“I will not resign. I will not resign. A social assassination is taking place.”
Delving more into why he has chosen not to resign, Rubiales maintained the kiss was consensual and spontaneous.
“Jenni was the one who lifted me up,” he said. “I told her to ‘forget about the penalty’ and I said to her ‘a little peck?’ and she said ‘OK’.
“It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here?
Laliga president, Javier Tebas reacts
Laliga chief Javier Tebas was among those who voiced their concern and registered their displeasure over Rubiales’ actions.
Tebas described Rubiales’ gesture as a global disaster and misogynistic. He further alleged Rubiales has offended a ‘long list of women’ which must stop.
“Spain have to live with dealing with Rubiales as president of the RFEF. The misogynistic gestures, the profane expressions, the protocol disaster and the insults of this latest global embarrassment are not a surprise. The list of women and men aggrieved by Luis Rubiales these years is too long and this must stop,” Tebas said.
Borja Iglesias ready to quit Spain national team if Rubiales is not punished
Spain men’s national team player, Borja Iglesias, 30, who plays as a striker for Laliga side Real Betis, is ready to quit Spain national team if Rubiales goes unpunished.
Borja Iglesias made his debut for Spain national team in 2022 and has won two caps with the team.
Now, he is ready to quit the team “until things change and Rubiales action is punished.”
Iglesias’ decision came after Rubiales addressed the Spanish football federation emergency meeting saying he will not resign.
Rubiales was appointed Spain Football Federation President in 2018. His decision not to resign came as a shock after viral reports in Spanish media claimed he will announce his resignation during the meeting.
We reported earlier FIFA have also waded into the row and have begun proceedings on Rubiales for alleged ‘offensive behavior and breach of fair play rules.’
He could be slammed with a lengthy ban and fine if found guilty.
