Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has described his standing ovation for Luis Rubiales’ incendiary speech last week as “unjustifiable”, but insists he “has no reason to resign” over an issue that has focused global scrutiny on the country’s football.
Last Friday, Spanish Football Association (RFEF) president Rubiales made an aggressive defence of his behaviour at the Women’s World Cup final, where he celebrated by grabbing his crotch in the stands, planted an unsolicited kiss on the lips of Jenni Hermoso, and hoisted another Spain player, Athenea del Castillo, over his shoulders during celebrations.
In a 30-minute rant, Rubiales dramatically said he was refusing to step down, claimed he was the victim of a long-running campaign of “social assassination”, and said “false feminism” was a “great scourge in this country”.
De La Fuente was among the first to rise in a standing ovation at the end of Rubiales’ speech, made in front of an RFEF general assembly.
In reaction, 81 Spanish female players, including all 23 of the World Cup-winning squad, removed themselves from national team selection. The only male player to do so was Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias.
Rubiales was suspended by FIFA the day after his speech. Two hours later, De la Fuente released a…
