This has been an extraordinary and tumultuous week for Spanish football, but what happened on Friday was on another level.
At a meeting in which everyone expected Luis Rubiales would announce his resignation as Spanish Football Association (RFEF) president, he instead fiercely attacked his critics and lectured the audience on “false feminism” in a long, intense and volatile speech.
It sparked a huge reaction.
Rubiales has faced calls to quit since kissing Spain striker Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the Women’s World Cup final trophy presentation in Sydney on Sunday. Before that, immediately after the final whistle as Spain beat England 1-0, he grabbed his crotch in celebration in the stands while standing next to the Queen of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter.
“I’m not going to resign, I’m not going to resign, I’m NOT going to resign, I’m NOT going to resign,” Rubiales repeated emphatically on stage in Madrid on Friday.
“We’re in a country where the law rules, where there has to be a motive to take you out of some place. And I say: what is it I’ve done? Is a consensual peck enough?”
Rubiales kisses Hermoso after the final (Screengrab/RTVE)
Rubiales said he did regret grabbing his crotch, which he referred to as an ‘Ole tus huevos’…
