Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has refused to resign after he kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the nation’s World Cup celebrations.
The moment occurred when Rubiales was congratulating the 33-year-old for her role in defeating England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney.
He was expected to resign on Friday.
Addressing the media, Rubiales denied wrong-doing regarding the kiss, describing it as “spontaneous, mutual and consensual.”
“I want to give my explanation about the peck (small kiss), it was a peck. The desire that I could have giving that kiss was the same desire that I could have giving my daughter a kiss, here there was no dominance.”
“It was spontaneous, mutual and consensual. It was consensual. I have a great relationship with all the players and we had very affectionate moments in this tournament.
“The moment Jenni appeared, she picked me up from the ground and when she left me we hugged and I told her forgot about the penalty, you’ve been fantastic in this World Cup and she told me you’re a star, I told her a little bit? and it happened.”
“I was wrong and it was not the time to make that gesture. Is it serious enough for me to leave, after doing the best management in Spanish football? I AM NOT GOING TO RESIGN,” he said emphatically.
Luis Rubiales says he is not resigning as president of the Spanish football federation. Repeatedly screaming "I'm not going to quit". pic.twitter.com/sSjE4CLtSI
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) August 25, 2023
Controversy
There have been severe criticisms across the world over the kissing incident with many describing it as highly embarrassing and immoral.
Spain’s Prime Minister Sanchez has condemned the “unacceptable” behaviour of Rubiales, while Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has called for his removal from his post.
FIFA has also opened disciplinary action against Rubiales.
The federation’s official protocol classifies ‘forced kisses’ as “unacceptable conduct with immediate consequences”.
On her part, Hermoso said she “did not enjoy it” in the aftermath of the incident and later called for the president’s actions to ‘not go unpunished.
But the embattled Football boss seems to be digging in.
“Here they are not trying to do justice, they are doing a social murder.
“For five years they have been after me with everything. Complaints, lawsuits and requests for me to step down. False feminism does not seek the truth, it seeks to portray itself that it is moving us forward. They do not care about people.”
It remains to be seen whether Rubiales will be able to weather the storm.
However, his decision to stay in office has undoubtedly damaged his reputation and further tarnished the image of Spanish football.
