Spanish FA president, Luis Rubiales, says he would not resign for kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup final trophy celebrations.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Friday, August 25, 2023, said his kiss on Hermoso’s lips was consensual and done in the same spirit as kissing his child.
Rubiales said: “It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric, and consensual.
“I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign.
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“A consensual peck is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end.”
Rubiales, 46, was expected to step down as president of the RFEF after government ministers and figures within sport demanded his resignation and world football’s governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him.
He said the pressure he has received this week from politicians and clubs was an attempt “to publicly assassinate me”, adding that he would defend himself by “taking action” against those people.
The RFEF chief, however, apologised for grabbing his crotch during the celebrations of the 1-0 win against England in the final while standing next to Spanish Queen Letizia.
Rubiales added: “I want to say sorry for the deeds that happened in a moment of euphoria, I grabbed that part of my body and did so looking at Jorge Vilda (the coach).
“I was so emotional, I lost control and I took my hands there.”
