Shamed Spanish FA kiss-gate chief Luis Rubiales breaks his silence to claim he is ‘advancing feminism’ and says he is the victim of a ‘lynching’ as he fights Jenni Hermoso’s World Cup final claims

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has claimed he is the “victim of a political and media lynching” that “drives feminism forward” as he continues to fight suspension attempts.

Rubiales sparked outrage after the Women’s World Cup final by kissing Hermoso on the mouth as she prepared to receive her medal following Spain’s 1-0 victory.

Footage was also released showing Rubiales grabbing his crotch as he stood near Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia – behavior for which he later apologized.

FIFA have already handed Rubiales a 90-day ban and Mail Sport have revealed the governing body are pushing for a 15-year ban from all football.

In Spain, the Administrative Court for Sports (TAD) has opened proceedings against the 46-year-old, but it is a “serious” rather than a “very serious” fault.

Rubiales sparked outrage by kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup final in Australia

Spain’s acting Sports and Culture Minister Miquel Iceta has asked the country’s Administrative Sports Court to suspend the 46-year-old.

This means that the National Sports Council (CSD) is unable to suspend Rubiales while the investigation is ongoing, but the acting Minister of Sports and Culture, Miquel Iceta, asked the court on Friday to suspend the president for “abuse of power” and damage to the image of sport.

Minutes after Iceta’s claims, Rubiales hit back with a bombshell statement that read, “I am the victim of an unprecedented political and media lynching.

“I was deliberately left out. But I have presented all relevant images that show the facts. This evidence will ignore opinions and clear my name.

He also claimed that he was “advancing the feminist cause” and that his case would be important for “real victims of assault”.

Rubiales was initially backed by key members of the RFEF, with Spain manager Luis De La Fuente cheering when the president announced he would not step down.

However, the coach has since withdrawn his support and apologized unreservedly.

As reported brand, he said: “What I have done is unjustifiable. What I’m trying to expose is the context. I was overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to measure up and I couldn’t control my emotions.

“When later you reflect and see yourself in front of the cameras… I don’t recognize myself. Inside the forest, you only see branches and when you move away from the forest, you see the real situation.

“Almost all the RFEF workers thought we were going to see a president sacked and we found something completely different. It was not easy to digest, it was a situation that upset me.

De La Fuente also asked for forgiveness and stressed that he would not commit such an act again.

He said: “I didn’t feel betrayed by Luis Rubiales, but I came in thinking it was going to be a resignation meeting and we were shocked when we saw it wasn’t like that.”

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente (pictured) has apologized for showing his support for Luis Rubiales

De La Fuente was seen applauding Rubiales after the latter said he would not step down but has now criticized the president’s actions

Rubiales repeatedly said the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso said there was no consent.

“I don’t need to resign, I need to apologize. I made a mistake, an inexcusable human error. If I could go back there, I wouldn’t commit this act again.

“I am on the side of equality and respect. We all have to improve in terms of equality and I am the first.

Rubiales repeatedly said the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso said there was no consent.

Reuters reports that a preliminary investigation has been opened by prosecutors into a possible sexual assault related to the kiss.