SPANISH FA chief Luis Rubiales insists he is “a good guy” in a sensational 90-minute interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
In a revealing sit-down with Piers, deluded Rubiales sensationally compares his kiss with Jenni Hermoso to one he might give his daughters.
The disgraced football president, 46, sparked outrage when his country won the Women’s World Cup earlier this month and he kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent.
The row caused a shockwave across the international football world, as numerous figures called for his resignation and Spanish prosecutors opened a criminal investigation.
Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on Sky 522, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 or on Fox Nation in the US
Rubiales will double down on his position as he tells Piers: “My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100% non-sexual, 100%, I repeat, 100%.”
READ MORE ON RUBIALES
“There was no harm, no sexual content, no aggression, nothing like that.
“The significance of the kiss to Jenni would have been exactly the same as a kiss to one of my daughters.
“Between friends and family, that’s very, very common.”
While he admits in hindsight he would have done things differently, he still describes the kiss as “a very happy moment, a celebration, a euphoric moment”.
Most read in Football
The FA president will say that he understands he “should have acted in a more solemn, cold and diplomatic way”.
Piers later confronts the disgraced football star with a statement from England’s Lionesses where they slam his behaviour as “abuse”.
“Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation. Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth.
“The behaviour of those who think they are invincible must not be tolerated and people shouldn’t need convincing to take action against any form of harassment.
“We all stand with you, Jenni Hermoso and all players of the Spanish team.”
Rubiales again fights back, insisting that he displayed no aggression when he kissed Hermoso, 33.
“Under no circumstance was there any aggression and under no circumstance was there any sexual content.
“I want to say that, Piers, again, I made a mistake, I apologise, but let’s be clear, under no circumstance is this sexual aggression.”
Piers clarified: “No abuse?”
To which the shamed former pro will say: “Of course not. Of course not. It’s an effusive, happy moment.”
As Piers presses Rubiales on the possibility of a criminal investigation, the former FA chief doubles down.
“I have full faith that the truth will come out and everything will be fine. Take a look at my face, I am a good guy.”
A statement from Spain’s highest court previously said: “Prosecutors from the National Court have opened a preliminary investigation to look into the facts, which could constitute an offence of sexual assault.”
Prosecutors also reportedly received complaints of “obscene exhibitionism before a minor” when Rubiales appeared to grab his crotch in the stands next to Spain’s Princess Infanta Sofía.
A Spanish judge has also since agreed to investigate Rubiales following the formal criminal complaint.
When discussing his crotch-grab after the historic win, Rubiales will be far more apologetic.
“For this I am truly ashamed… There are no excuses. In Spain, with guys as well as women, there’s an expression which would probably translate to something like, oh my genitals or something to that respect.
“So, this vulgar expression, basically what it means is: bravo, well done. I apologise because it’s not the behaviour I should have had.”
He apologised to the Spanish royal family previously for the display, saying: “I apologise to the Queen and the Infanta for a very unedifying gesture. I do not justify myself: sorry.”
But in the same breath, the deluded footballer claimed the kiss was “affectionate” and Hermoso had “consented”.
Hermoso herself hit back the following day, admitting she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression”.
The tense sit down on TalkTV comes after Rubiales sensationally quit last night as FA chief and UEFA vice-president following the scandal.
Despite previously insisting “I AM NOT RESIGNING”, following the kissgate row, the footballer admitted that he couldn’t continue.
When pressed by Piers on whether he would step down, Rubiales admits: “I am going to – of course I cannot continue my work.”
Rubiales explains that he came to the difficult decision after speaking with his father and his daughters.
He says: “They know it’s not a question about me.
“Some friends very close to me said ‘Luis, now you have to focus on your dignity and continue your life – if not, you are probably going to damage people you love and the sport you love’.
Read More on The Sun
“This is more a question of not only me. In this situation now it is more intelligent and the thing I had to do.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
