FORMER Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales claimed that the Women’s World Cup winners touched his bum during celebrations at the final.As he tried to prove his innocence, Rubiales told Spain’s National Court that the kiss to Jenni Hermoso was “something natural between two people who have been living together for a long time.”
Luis Rubiales claimed that the Women’s World Cup players touched his bum during the final celebrationsCredit: Getty
The former Spanish FA chief made claims to Spain’s National Court that he was ‘picked up’ and ‘grabbed’Credit: Getty
Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing over the kiss to Jenni Hermoso that sparked outrage
The former Spanish FA president called Hermoso, 33, “untruthful” as he made his defense while continuing to show no remorse in front of the court.
The judge proceeded to ask Rubiales if there had been consent from the footballer before the kiss at the Women’s World Cup in Australia – but instead, he claimed the players touched his bum during the celebrations.
“I was hugging the players, the coach when she passed by. She came towards me to give me a hug,” he said.
“We hugged, she picked me up and I made a gesture to not fall, all of this in a conversation in the one where I remind her that without her we would not have won the World Cup. So I ask her, I ask her. And she tells me okay”.
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“She grabs me wherever she can, I grab her too and there’s no more”.
He explained that two to three minutes later, all the players picked him up and covered him.
“And at that moment I won’t say that they shouldn’t touch me, excuse me, my a**, my knees, or the back.
“We have won a World Cup and the tremendous euphoria and joy there is is indescribable,” he said.
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“It happened as naturally as when you win the Lottery or the war in Ukraine is over or you win a World Cup, this effusiveness, this spontaneity. She said it herself, she told me it’s okay,” Rubiales added.
Rubiales was removed from office on August 26 in order to protect the ongoing investigation into his conduct at the Women’s World Cup Final.
FIFA made the move to block potential witness tampering by Rubiales when its disciplinary committee suspended the now-ousted Spanish football president, the sports governing body said.
The provisional ban was imposed “particularly so that potential testimonies could be given freely and without any type of pressure, fear or reprisals,” FIFA disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio wrote.
FIFA did not initially suspend Rubiales when it opened a case on August 24 into incidents that occurred four days earlier in Sydney, Australia.
The nine-page document said other incidents in the investigation include Rubiales “carrying the Spanish player Athenea del Castillo over his shoulder during the post-match celebrations” and grabbing his crotch while celebrating Spain’s 1-0 win over England.
The shocking moment happened as he stood next to Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Sofia.
Footage of the moment was uploaded by Spanish politician Pablo Echenique, who has slammed Rubiales for his behaviour.
He said: “As well as giving Jenni Hermoso a non-consensual kiss on the lips while he grabbed her head, an act that could represent the commission of a crime, Rubiales also celebrated Spain’s victory grabbing his testicles next to the queen and her daughter.”
The Spanish FA chief later responded to the criticism of the kiss and defended his actions on Radio Marca.
“The kiss with Jenni?”, he said. “There are idiots everywhere.
On September 15, Rubiales was slapped with a restraining order that banned him from contacting Hermoso or going within 200 meters of her.
It came after Hermoso alleged she and her relatives were put under pressure by the former Spanish footy official and his entourage to say that she approved what happened.
But he remained unrepentant and insisted he would “defend his innocence”.
Hermoso claimed she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” after the kiss.
Footage appeared to show Rubiales planting a kiss on the player after Spain triumphed over England at the Women’s World Cup final last month.
Rubiales initially refused to resign and blamed “false feminism” for his “social assassination”.
In a tweet, he claimed the kiss was “affectionate” and Hermoso had “consented”.
In the wake of the “kiss-gate” scandal, Rubiales has been forced to sell his luxury Madrid apartment as he continues to face mounting legal bills.
He is also forking out 800 euros per month for each of his three daughters after his ex-wife won a lawsuit against him, according to El Mundo.
This financial blow meant that the ex-football boss had to give up his stunning modern property in order to secure funding for his ongoing legal fight.
The disgraced FA chief has continued to insist he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
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The judge’s investigation precedes any formal charges under Spanish law and will decide whether the case goes to trial.
If it does, Rubiales could face between one and four years imprisonment if found guilty.
Rubiales was slapped with a restraining order last month that banned him from contacting HermosoCredit: Getty
Rubiales was removed from his position on August 26 in order to protect the ongoing investigationCredit: Reuters More
