SPANISH football federation president Luis Rubiales has sensationally declared “I AM NOT RESIGNING” after his kissgate storm.
It comes after he kissed Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso following their 1-0 win over England in last Sunday’s final.
Fifa opened a disciplinary proceeding into the matter yesterday.
Rubiales was also criticised for grabbing his crotch as he celebrated La Roja’s historic victory at the final whistle.
Despite reporters being briefed that he would be announcing his resignation at a press conference today, Rubiales has made a stunning U-turn.
However, the aftermath of his press conference has seen Spain striker Borja Iglesias QUIT the men’s national team out of protest.
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Two-time women’s Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas also threw her support behind team-mate Hermoso, tweeting: “This is unacceptable. It’s over. With you partner @Jennihermoso.”
During the explosive press conference, the 46-year-old went on a stunning rant.
He blamed “false feminism” as one of the driving factors behind his so-called “social murder”.
He said: “I want to thank everyone who has shown me their support.
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“There are many people who, although silenced, have supported me. I would say more than against it.”
Explaining his crotch grab, he said: “In a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body.
“I am going to explain it by looking at Jorge Vilda. We have been through a lot. They have done to you what they now want to do to me.
“A false speech that they want to transform into truth. We have swallowed a lot. I got so excited to the point that I lost control and put my hands there.”
On the kiss, he said: “I was very moved when after winning the World Cup you turned around and dedicated it to me. There I made the gesture.
“I apologise to the Queen and the Infanta for a very unedifying gesture. I do not justify myself: sorry.
“The kiss was consented. We had very affectionate moments in this concentration.
“The moment Jenni appeared, she picked me up from the ground and we almost fell. And when she left me on the ground, we hugged. She took me up in her arms and we hugged.
“I told her ‘forget the [missed] penalty, you’ve been fantastic in this World Cup’ and she told me ‘you’re a crack’ and I told her, a little peck? and she said okay.”
He added: “My daughters today have to learn a lesson: equality is differentiating between truth and lies.
“You (her daughters) are true feminism, not the false feminism that is out there. We are not advancing like this.
“A social murder is being carried out. They are trying to kill me! As a Spaniard, I think we have to reflect on where we are going. Being a world champion is the greatest thing there is.
“For five years they have been going after me for everything. Dozens of lawsuits, denunciations, requests for disqualification… They are always the same, we know who they are.”
Team boss Jorge Vilda was seen clapping in the crowd after the declaration, amid his own troubles with the team.
Despite Rubiales claiming his kiss with Hermoso was entirely consensual, she revealed in an Instagram video after the final that she did “not enjoy” the kiss.
His explanation sparked further outrage from TV commentator Jacqui Oatley, who tweeted: “Wow… Rubiales will never get it.
“It’s not just about the forced kiss on the lips of the player and other demeaning gestures, rather the background of his refusal to listen to a large group of top international players who had complained about the culture under the head coach – but were ignored.
“All focus now should be on whether his successor is someone who’ll respect female players and create a positive culture in which they all feel valued and can thrive.”
Earlier this week the Spanish FA released a statement, which they claimed to be on behalf of Hermoso, downplaying the incident.
However, a statement from the 33-year-old called for “exemplary measures” to be taken against Rubiales.
A joint statement the FUTPRO Union and her agency said: “My union FUTPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ, are taking care of defending my interests and have taken over as my interlocutors on this matter.
“We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned and that the exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable.”
European football writer Colin Millar also reported Hermoso’s family and team-mates had been put under pressure to throw their support behind Rubiales.
After the final whistle, Rubiales entered the women’s team locker room and delivered a speech.
There he vowed to take them on holiday to Ibiza as a reward for their performances and he proclaimed he would marry Hermoso on the Balearic Island.
Rubiales has faced widespread criticism for his actions, including from the country’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
Many La Liga clubs have also hit out at Rubiales, including Getafe, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Osasuna, all of whom have demanded his resignation.
Former Manchester United and Spain international David de Gea also appeared to hit back at the statement, tweeting: “My ears are bleeding 🎪🎭.”
Compatriot and ex-Arsenal star Hector Bellerin echoed this criticism, writing on Instagram: “The narcissist never believes they have made a mistake, they are able to lie, manipulate the truth and make the victim guilty in order to retain their power over others.”
Iker Casillas, who captained Spain’s men team to their World Cup 2010 triumph, tweeted: “We should spend these 5 days talking about our girls! Of the joy they gave us all!
“To boast of a title that we did not have in women’s football but…”
La Liga president Javier Tebas shared a long statement to his Twitter page condemning Rubiales.
His statement accused Rubiales of a number of heinous acts during his time in charge of the RFEF, including blackmail, threats and espionage.
He added: “Rubiales is interested in lying and presenting me as a conspirator to hide himself in a false equidistance and get out of the way of his scandals and excesses. Nothing is further from reality.
“Although the crude victimization trick has worked too many times, this time to continue trying it is simply ridiculous, it is impossible to attribute his misogynistic and despicable behaviour to any absurd conspiracy when the reputational damage for all of Spanish football is already inevitable.”
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Meanwhile, former Spain boss Luis Enrique refused to add to the criticism of Rubiales.
He said: “Rubiales has done a fantastic job at the Spanish FA. He has admitted that he has made mistakes, so my opinion on the matter is not necessary.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
