SPANISH FA chief Luis Rubiales has refused to apologise to footie ace Jenni Hermoso in bombshell Piers Morgan interview.
The disgraced football president, 46, sparked outrage when he kissed Hermoso without her consent after his country won the Women’s World Cup earlier this month.
The row caused a shockwave across the international football world, as numerous figures called for his resignation and Spanish prosecutors opened a criminal investigation.
But in a revealing sit-down with Piers, Rubiales defended his actions – saying the kiss was “noble”.
He said: “You can imagine if you win the lottery or hopefully soon one day the war in the Ukraine finishes, I mean celebrations will go on up and down the globe.
“People don’t ask permissions, it’s just a happy, happy time and people celebrate.
“This has turned out to be a snowball created by spurious arguments and people.
“My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100% non-sexual, 100%, I repeat, 100%.”
During the interview he was repeatedly pressed by Piers to apologise to Hermoso – but he insists it was a misunderstanding.
He said: “It was a mutual act, she came towards me, very happy. She lifted me up, she lifted me up in the air… We were both emotional.
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“When we hit the ground, I had a quick conversation with her. We congratulated each other. I gave her a quick peck. I asked her, can I give you a quick peck, which is normal in our country.
“I think she gave me one or two slaps in my side, she was laughing, and that was it. No intention.
“Of course no sexual connotation of anything. Just a moment of happiness, just great joy in that moment.”
It comes after Rubiales this week revealed he is resigning following the scandal.
On Wednesday World Cup Champion Jenni Hermoso presented a complaint of sexual assault against Rubiales to the Spanish prosecutors office.
He formally announced his resignation from the Spanish FA and from his UEFA vice-presidency.
It’s the first formal complaint from Hermoso, 33, following the non consensual kiss after Spain’s victory.
She lodged the sexual assault complaint in person at the State Attorney General’s Office – as the public ministry will present an official complaint soon against Rubiales soon.
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A judge at Spain’s Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid will be tasked with conducting the probe and deciding whether Rubiales should face charges before inviting prosecutors to indict the suspended Spanish FA president.
Watch the full interview on Talk TV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
