Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish Football Federation, has chosen not to step down from his position despite facing criticism for kissing Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
Gatekeepers News reports that while addressing an emergency assembly of the RFEF on Friday, Rubiales expressed his frustration, claiming that “false feminists” were attempting to discredit him.
He characterized the kiss as a “little peck” that was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”.
“Is a consensual peck going to take me out of here? I won’t resign. I will fight until the end,” Rubiales said, drawing applause from the audience.
The Spanish government has announced its intention to bring the kissing incident before a sports tribunal. If evidence suggests that the kiss was non-consensual, he could face trial under a sexual violence law introduced by the Socialists last year.
Rubiales, 46, in a speech, defended himself by claiming that Jenni Hermoso initiated physical contact by lifting him off the ground by his hips. He recounted that he had asked Hermoso for “a little peck,” to which she consented.
However, his remarks sparked swift criticism, with acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz deeming them “unacceptable.”
“The government must act and take urgent measures: impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office,” Diaz wrote on social media.
The controversy unfolded when Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the mouth while presenting her with a medal after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.
Rubiales was also seen grabbing his crotch in celebration while standing next to Queen Letizia in a box at the stadium, for which he apologized on Friday.
On Thursday, FIFA initiated disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales, responding to Hermoso’s statement that her union would work to ensure such actions “never go unpunished.”
Rubiales initially reacted defiantly to the backlash, describing his critics as “idiots”. But he swiftly backtracked, posting an apology video recorded while flying back from Sydney.
Despite this, his apology received limited support – with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez describing it as “not enough” prompting regional leaders of the RFEF held a crisis meeting in Madrid on Thursday to discuss Rubiales’s future and options for a potential successor.
REUTERS
