Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish football federation, said on Friday he would continue to defend himself “to prove the truth” after the court opened a case for serious offences.
“I want to send a message to all the good people in our country and across our borders, including the women who have really been attacked and who have my full support and understanding: It’s not about gender, it’s about truth,” Rubiales said in a statement published by El Mundo newspaper.
Luis Rubiales, provisionally suspended for 90 days after kissing Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final, is being investigated by the Spanish Tribunal for Sports (TAD).
The head of the federation apologized for the behavior in Sydney, but later said the kiss was consensual. Hermoso says no, and that he felt like a “victim of an assault”.
“On August 20, I made some obvious mistakes, which I sincerely regret, from my heart,” Rubiales said in the statement.
“I’ve learned that no matter how great the joy and how deep the emotion, sports leaders have to be exemplary, even if you win a World Cup, and that wasn’t the case with me.”
Rubiales reiterated that the kiss was “a mutual and consensual act”, noting that this is his only version and that I continue to defend it. “There was no aggression at any point. In fact, there was not the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy,” he added.
The suspended President of the Spanish Football Federation stated that he had cooperated in all procedures of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and that he had turned to FIFSA to defend his position.
“I remain confident in the independence of the agencies where this issue is to be resolved despite political pressure and brutality prompted by the interests of certain media outlets,” he added, saying he has “an unprecedented political and media lynching undergo”.
“While information on this matter is subject to countless manipulations, lies and censorship, the truth only goes one way, which is why I reiterate my confidence that justice will be done.”
“In the name of feminism, we should not try to bring down a man – or a woman – without due process. Equality means equal rights for everyone,” he added at the end of the statement.
Source: DN
