Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, surprised everyone by refusing to resign over the scandal that has erupted following his post-match kiss of Jenni Hermoso following the Women’s World Cup final, which Spain won.
It had been expected that Rubiales would step down, but he shocked everyone by defiantly refusing to do so.
Luis Rubiales’ on the Jenni Hermoso kiss
The Spanish FA president did apologize for some of his behaviour at the Women’s World Cup final.
“I want to apologize unreservedly for something that happened in the presidential box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed a part of my body,” he said.
“Look, I got very excited and I lost control. I have to apologise to the royal family because it is a very unedifying gesture.
“With the kiss, the peck, it was more of a peck than a kiss.
“Whoever watches the video will see the desire in that kiss is the same as with one of my daughters. There is no desire or dominance.
“It’s not what is being pushed in the media by Mr. Tebas and feminism. The kiss was spontaneous, mutual and consensual.
“That player had missed a penalty and said ‘you’re great’. Jenni grabbed me by the hips and pulled me close and we embraced.
“Then we gave each other a peck. A peck? She said okay. She said it was an anecdote. From the anecdote to the video to the statement, I didn’t understand.
“A social assassination is being carried out, with which they’re trying to destroy me, as they have been for the past five years.”
Luis Rubiales refuses to resign
The president then repeated several times “I’m not going to resign”, to the applause of the room at the Spanish FA’s headquarters.
Is it serious enough for me to have to go, having carried out the best management in the history of Spanish football?” he asked.
“Do you think I should resign? Because I’ll say something: I’m not going to resign!”
