A wave of ‘shock’ followed Friday’s announcement by Luís Rubiales that he would not step down as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), with numerous athletes and personalities expressing dissatisfaction with the leader.

International striker Borja Iglésias immediately warned that he will not represent the selection until things change, so that such acts [em alusão ao beijo do dirigente a uma jogadora] do not go unpunished.

“As a footballer, as a person, I don’t feel represented by what happened today at the City of Football in Las Rozas. It seems regrettable that they continue to insist and focus on a partner,” the Betis player wrote.

A sentiment shared by his team-mate and former Sporting player Hector Bellerín, with the full-back finding the behavior of the RFEF president shameful.

“Representing our country with this level of vulgarity, misrepresenting the victim’s statements and moreover having the audacity to blame her,” the defender noted, noting that the narcissist never believes he made a mistake, that he is capable of lying and manipulation.

The comments came after the RFEF’s extraordinary meeting, in which Rubiales denied having kissed Jenni Hermoso without permission, contrary to what the player later said, and that she would not resign from the Federation.

“It was spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and agreeing, which has been the motto of all the criticism. There was agreement, this player had missed a penalty and I have a great relationship with all the players. We were a family for over a year. month and we had loving moments during the concentration,” the leader justified in the intervention at the Assembly, adding that an “character assassination” attempt is being made against him.

On Thursday, according to federal sources, everything pointed to the director’s departure, but Rubiales surprised and announced that he is not stepping down, in an GA where he was widely applauded by those in attendance, including the female and male selectors.

The situation has also been criticized by many players, including Alexia Putellas, with the also world champion and best footballer in the world saying that “it is unacceptable”, that it is “over” and that she stands in solidarity with Hermoso.

Portuguese internationals join the criticism

At the Portuguese internationals, Tatiana Pinto, who played in Spain for the past two seasons, did not shy away from criticism.

“It’s not fake feminism. It’s an embarrassing speech by Rubiales! Worse? The applause of an entire room,” he reflected.

The Portuguese, Jéssica Silva, already chose to write in Castilian that “it is insane” and “unacceptable” what is happening.

There are a lot of reactions, not only with regard to the director’s failure to resign, but especially with regard to the statements he has made and the attitude he has maintained during today’s General Assembly, even announcing an extension and salary for Jorge Vilda, the female selector.

A few hours later, and already after announcing that he had filed a complaint against Rubiales at the Administrative Court, the Secretary of State and President of the Supreme Council for Sports, Victor Francos, said that for the government the separation with the current presidency of The Federation is clear.

“This government’s road to the presidency of the Royal Spanish Federation ends today. That is why the government is starting the procedures for Mr. Rubiales to give explanations before the Administrative Court of Sport (…). And the Supreme Sports Council is in the circumstances to If you do, you must remove Mr. Rubiales from the presidency of the Royal Spanish Federation,” said the minister.

Also today, the Union of Spanish Footballers said the leader “shouldn’t be a minute ahead of the RFEF”, relying on government action for an immediate removal.

“After this Assembly, the image of Spanish sport, both nationally and internationally, is once again seriously damaged by Luís Rubiales, whose actions increasingly jeopardize Spain’s candidacy to host the 2030 World Cup,” the Players’ Association said.

Spain is competing with Portugal to host the Football World Cup, but even on Thursday, a source from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) believed that the controversy, even before today’s meeting, had no impact on the joint project.

When asked by Lusa, an official FPF source downplayed the impact of the controversy over the joint candidacy of Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and Morocco: “The candidacy for the 2030 World Cup is a project above any person or position”.