Shamed Spanish FA kiss-gate chief Luis Rubiales breaks his silence to claim he is ‘advancing feminism’ and says he is the victim of a ‘lynching’ as he fights Jenni Hermoso’s World Cup final claims

  • Spain’s Sports and Culture Minister has called for Luis Rubiales’ suspension
  • It comes after the Spanish FA chief was handed a 90-day ban by FIFA 
  • Rubiales has now claimed he is ‘the victim of a political and media lynching’ 

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has claimed he is the ‘victim of a lynching’ who is actually ‘advancing feminism’ as he continues to fight attempts to suspend him.

Rubiales sparked outrage after the Women’s World Cup final as he kissed Hermoso on the mouth as she stepped up to receive her medal following Spain’s 1-0 win.

Footage also emerged that showed Rubiales grabbing his crotch while standing near Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia – behaviour he apologised for.

FIFA has already banned Rubiales for 90-days and is pushing for a 15-year ban from all football related activities.

 In Spain, the Sports Administrative Tribunal (TAD) has opened a case against the 46-year-old, but it is for ‘serious’, rather than ‘very serious’ misconduct.

This means the National Sports Council (CSD) is unable to suspend Rubiales, but acting Sports and Culture Minister Miquel Iceta called on Friday for the tribunal to suspend the president for ‘abusing his authority’ and damaging the sport’s image.

Within minutes of Iceta’s claims, Rubiales hit back with an explosive statement that read: ‘I am the victim of an unprecedented political and media lynching. 

‘I have been deliberately sidelined. But I have presented all the relevant images that show the facts. That evidence will ignore opinions and clear my name.’

He also claimed that he was ‘advancing the feminist cause’ and that his case would be important for ‘real victims of aggression.’

Rubiales was initially supported by key members within the RFEF, with Spain manager Luis De la Fuente seen applauding when the president announced he would not be resigning.

The coach has since withdrawn his support and apologised. As reported by Marca, he said: ‘What I did is unjustifiable. What I’m trying to expose is the context. I was overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to live up to it and I couldn’t control my emotions. 

‘When you later reflect and see yourself on cameras… I don’t recognize myself. Inside the forest one sees nothing but branches and when one separates from the forest one sees the true situation.’

‘Almost all of us RFEF workers went thinking that we were going to see the dismissal of a president and we found something completely different. It was not easy to digest, it was a situation that overwhelmed me.’

In addition, De la Fuente asked for forgiveness and stressed that he wouldn’t commit such an act again. 

He said: ‘I have not felt betrayed by Luis Rubiales, but I arrived thinking that it was going to be a resignation meeting and we were shocked when we saw that it was not like that.’

‘I would like to be questioned about the results, it is a scenario that I bullfight with calmness. Not in this scenario, which does generate concern and tension in me.’

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente (pictured) has apologised for showing  support to Luis Rubiales

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente (pictured) has apologised for showing  support to Luis Rubiales

De la Fuente was seen applauding Rubiales after the latter stated that he would not resign but has now criticised the president's actions

De la Fuente was seen applauding Rubiales after the latter stated that he would not resign but has now criticised the president’s actions

‘I don’t have to resign, I have to ask for forgiveness. I made a mistake, an inexcusable human error. If I could go back I wouldn’t commit that act again.’

‘I am on the side of equality and respect. We all have to improve in terms of equality and I am the first.’

Rubiales has repeatedly said that the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso said there was no consent. 

Reuters report that a preliminary investigation has been opened by prosecutors into a possible sexual assault over the kiss. 

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Post source: Daily mail

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