SCANDAL has long surrounded the embattled head of the Spanish Football Association before his now infamous kiss with Jenni Hermosa.
Chief Luis Rubiales has been accused of group “orgies” allegedly paid for with business funds, inappropriate comments to employees and more.
And he once suggested his enemies would seek to plant a “bag of cocaine” on him in a bid to discredit him.
Playing as a defender for Spanish teams including Mallorca B, Xerez and Levate, he first made headlines in the late 2000s while striking alongside his teammates over unpaid wages.
In 2010, after retiring from playing, he became president of the Association of Spanish Footballers union.
He took up his current position as FA chief in 2017, which he’s been called upon to resign from after heavy criticism following his most recent controversy in the Women’s World Cup.
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Marketing manager for Spain’s Football Player Association, Tamara Ramos, claimed last week that Rubiales would ask her what colour underwear she had on in her time at the association, before he left in 2017.
Rubiales was also has blamed for Spain’s loss in the 2018 FIFA World Cup after dismissing the men’s coach on the eve of their first match in the tournament.
Multiple women have come forward with accusations ranging from “misogyny to sexual harassment”, and some allegations say he used public funds for “orgies.”
Rubiales previously even booted his own uncle – chief of staff at FA Madrid’s headquarters – after he alleged Rubiales had organised a “private party” with “eight or 10 young girls” and made him pay for it with association funds.
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The women allegedly attended the “orgies” under the pretext of a “work event”, with their fees “paid for” by the football federation, according to Rubiales’ uncle.
Juan Rubiales said: “A group of eight or 10 young girls was invited by the President’s friend and former player Nene.”
Rubiales always insisted there was no party and that the event was actually for work purposes, but admitted there was a “barbecue with friends”.
“There was also some leisure time, with a barbecue with friends — men and women,” he said.
“It seems now you cannot have people of different genders having a drink and a paella together, which is what we did.”
And sources who were aware of the event insisted the girls were “not prostitutes”, reported El Pais.
In the midst of a scandal after audio leaked of Rubiales and former Barca player Gerard Piqué plotting to transfer the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, the FA chief made outrageous claims.
Alleging the leaked audio files were part of a campaign to smear him, Rubiales claimed the leak was a “mafia act”.
Without specifying who he was referring to, he suggested: “I cannot guarantee one day they will put a bag of cocaine in the boot of my car.”
In late 2022, 15 players posted an open letter to the federation complaining about the behaviour of RFEF bosses, citing attitudes to their “emotional and physical wellbeing”.
Rubiales implied the players who complained were “blackmailing” the federation and said the women should “ask for forgiveness”.
While there are a multitude of past incidents – which Rubiales has fervently denied – more are surfacing as the spotlight has shifted on the footie figurehead.
Now in his latest scandal, Rubiales is facing a “sexual assault” probe and has refused to step down amid furore across Spain.
After the infamous kiss seen around the world went viral, Rubiales initially defended his actions and branded critics as “idiots”.
Rubiales did apologise later, saying: “I’ve no doubt made a mistake and I have to admit it”.
But he then insisted he had no intention of leaving his post.
That defiance, however, has only helped to deepen the outrage at his actions, as well as sparking wider criticism of his leadership.
The Lionesses and LaLiga clubs joined in the surge of protests, with the public and politicians also voicing their displeasure.
And the whole coaching team of Spain’s World Cup winners quit, except for manager Jorge Vilda.
FIFA have now provisionally suspended him for 90 days and launched proceedings – and are said to want him banned for a maximum term of 15 years, the Daily Mail claims.
Rubiales could end up facing charges of “sexual aggression” towards player Jenni Hermoso, as well as being asked to resign.
A preliminary probe has already been announced amid the ongoing fury and protests about the kiss seen around the world.
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Meanwhile, his mum locked herself in a church and began a hunger strike to protest the “inhumane witch-hunt” against her son.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
