RFEF at the Museo Nacional de San Fernando (Photo courtesy of Florencia).
Luis Rubiales, former president of Spain’s Royal Football Federation, was attacked during a press conference.
Rubiales was forced to resign in 2023 after allegedly kissing Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during a trophy ceremony. He was widely criticized for defending his actions as “spontaneous” and was also handed a three-year ban by FIFA.
Luis Rubiales pleads not guilty
Rubiales has since proclaimed his innocence and claimed there is a conspiracy against them. He also defended his actions, claiming the kiss was consensual.
He also refused to apologize to Hermoso, saying he asked the soccer player’s permission before kissing him.
“As president, I should have acted more calmly and more systematically,” Rubiales admitted. “But no, I’m not apologizing to Jenni Hermoso, because I asked her if I could kiss her and she said, ‘Okay.’
Meanwhile, the 48-year-old was found guilty of sexual assault in a non-consensual case and fined €10,800.
The 48-year-old plans to appeal his conviction to Spain’s Supreme Court.
Rubiales has no plans to return to soccer.
Rubiales has been banned from soccer-related activities for three years, and attention will be focused on whether he will be able to clear his name at Spain’s Supreme Court.
Rubiales was in Madrid for the launch of his book, Killing Rubiales, when a man threw an egg at him and tried to assault him. Some of the protesters subdued the assailant, but police eventually took him away.
The former RFEF president also insisted he had no intention of returning to football and just wanted to work peacefully in Spain.
