Luis Rubiales has revealed that he consulted his three daughters before resigning over the Kissgate scandal, saying they urged him to “focus on my dignity and my life” amid a global backlash over his kiss with World Cup player Jenni Beautiful.
The defiant Spanish football boss announced his resignation last night, saying “I cannot continue with my job” while promising to “defend his innocence” in an interview with Piers Morgan.
He said he spoke to his daughters Lucia, Ana and Elena, as well as his father and friends before making the decision, which comes after weeks of pressure over the incident that followed Spain’s World Cup victory in August.
‘I talked to my daughters and they know it’s not about me. They say I have to focus on my dignity and my life. In this current situation, this is what I have to do,” she stated.
‘Some friends very close to me told me: ‘Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and continue with your life because if not you are going to harm the people you love and the sport you love.’
The president of the Spanish Football Federation said that he spoke with his daughters Lucía, Ana and Elena before deciding to resign
Luis Rubiales was seen kissing the Spanish Jenni Hermoso after the final of the Women’s World Cup
Rubiales previously revealed that his youngest daughter, Elena, wears his number 17 jersey when playing soccer.
Rubiales has repeatedly referenced his three daughters during the ongoing saga, even initially defending the kiss by comparing the act to him kissing one of them.
‘Everyone present – even some of my family, my daughters – the desire that could have been there in that kiss is exactly the same that could have been there as giving a kiss to one of my daughters. No more, no less,’ Rubiales said.
The head of the Spanish Football Federation then begged Hermoso to appear in an apology video with him, allegedly trying to appeal to her by saying “my position is at stake, do it for my daughters.”
Rubiales’ three daughters had been present for his surprising speech at a meeting of the Spanish Football Federation in which he repeatedly refused to resign from his position, shouting “I am not going to resign.”
Rubiales had intentionally addressed his daughters during the dramatic speech, which he took advantage of to criticize what he called “false feminism.”
“I mean, looking at my three daughters who are there, today they have to learn a lesson about what equality is,” Rubiales said.
‘You have to differentiate between truth and lies, and I am telling the truth. Daughters, learn it, it is a life lesson.
‘You are true feminists, not the false feminism that exists. That false feminism is not him seeking justice, the truth is, he doesn’t care about people.’
Rubiales (left) announced his resignation in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan (right)
Last night, when his decision to resign was made public on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he tweeted: “I will defend my honorability.” I will defend my innocence.
‘I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth. Thank you all.’
He ended his tweet by posting a photo of the Spanish flag.
In a long statement he issued just before taking to Twitter, the father of three said: “Today at 9:30 p.m. I transmitted to the acting president, Mr. Pedro Rocha, my resignation from the position of president of the RFEF.
‘I have also informed you that I have done the same with my position at UEFA so that my position in the Vice Presidency can be replaced.
‘After the quick suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the process opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.
‘Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because there are de facto powers that will prevent my return.
‘There is the management of my team and, above all, the happiness I have for the enormous privilege of these more than five years at the head of the RFEF.
Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation after a few controversial weeks
Last week, Hermoso filed a formal complaint against Rubiales, calling the kiss a ‘sexist act’ that occurred without her consent.
“I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this disproportionate campaign and, above all, I make this decision after having assured that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of 2030, which will allow bring to our country the largest event in the world.
‘I must look forward, look to the future.
‘Now there is something that occupies me firmly. I have faith in the truth and will do everything in my power to make it prevail.
‘My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth prevails.
‘From here I convey a big hug to all the workers, assembly members, federations and football people in general, wishing them the best of luck.
‘Thank you to everyone who has supported me during these times.’
Rubiales came under intense scrutiny immediately after the Hermoso incident, with protests against his presidency across Spain and high-profile individuals calling for him to resign.
FIFA imposed an initial 90-day suspension on him and is pushing to extend it longer, and the Spanish Football Federation publicly apologized for his behavior.
The statement from Rubiales’ replacement, Pedro Rocha, said: “Spanish society is an example of tolerance and civility, in all social and political spheres and has been an example of sporting conduct and decorum, as it has demonstrated for decades in all the sporting events in which he has participated.
‘That nobility and international prestige of our society and our sport has been tarnished in recent days by the actions of Mr. Luis Rubiales. The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole has been enormous.
Rubiales was initially reluctant to resign despite being handed a 90-day suspension by FIFA.
‘The RFEF wants to convey to all of society and to all of world football its deepest regret for what happened, which has stained our team, our football and our society.
‘We are deeply sorry for the damage caused and for this reason, we must apologize most sincerely and acquire a firm and absolute commitment that [incidents] Things like this can never happen again.’
World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda was removed from his position following Rubiales’ suspension, shortly after the outgoing president offered him a new contract.
Rubiales still faces the possibility of criminal proceedings for sexual assault and coercion for his “unsolicited kiss” on Spanish international Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s victory over England at the World Cup.
The 33-year-old forward filed a formal complaint last week before returning to Mexico, where she plays for her club, and prosecutors announced on Friday that they had presented their formal complaint to a judge at the National Court in Madrid.
The former president of the Spanish Football Federation insisted the kiss was consensual and described it as a “kiss.”
Protests broke out across Spain calling for Rubiales to resign following the incident.
The footballer has said that the kiss left her feeling vulnerable and a victim of assault. She has described it as ‘an impulsive, sexist act, out of character and without any type of consent on my part.’
Rubiales, who had apologized for grabbing his crotch during post-match celebrations in front of Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, had said in a lengthy statement last week before announcing his decision to resign: “Spontaneity and the happiness of the historical moment led us to carry out a mutual and consensual act, the product of much enthusiasm.
‘At no time was there any aggression, in fact, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but rather an overflowing joy in both of us.’
Ángeles Béjar, Rubiales’ 72-year-old mother, went on a hunger strike at a church in her son’s hometown of Motril, near Granada, for two days after being rushed to hospital 48 hours after her death. protest.
He said he had released it so Jenni would ‘tell the truth’ about the kiss.
Speaking from inside the church before he fell ill, he said: ‘I just want the truth to be told.
Rubiales sparked further outrage after images emerged of him grabbing his crotch while celebrating Spain’s victory near Spanish Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter.
Ángeles Béjar, Rubial’s mother, began a hunger strike in a church in the coastal town of Motril, near Málaga.
‘She knows that my son is very honest. If she tells the truth, everything will be fine.
Referring to the kiss at the World Cup that sparked the scandal called ‘Kissgate’, she added: ‘It was an anecdote, as she herself said, and look how far it has come.
‘She should have a conscience and act accordingly.
‘My son is very worried and has asked me not to continue, to stop, but I will be here until I fall and my body can continue.’
