- Luis Rubiales to resign as head of Spanish FA after ‘Kiss-Gate’ scandal
- Spanish star Jennifer Hermoso said she did not consent to Rubiales’ kiss
Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales insisted he kissed Jennifer Hermoso the same way he would kiss one of his daughters.
Rubiales has been at the center of a storm of controversy since he kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney last month.
The 46-year-old was called to resign after the incident, with protests against his presidency across Spain and leading figures in the world of football and beyond calling for his resignation.
FIFA gave him an initial 90-day suspension and is pushing for a longer suspension. The Spanish Football Federation publicly apologized for its behavior.
Rubiales finally announced Monday that he would step down from his role, but in an interview with Piers Morgan, which will air Tuesday night, he firmly maintained that he meant no harm in kissing Hermoso.
Disgraced Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales has insisted he meant no harm by kissing Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales (right) hugged Hermoso as she collected her medal after Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final last month.
Rubiales said he kissed Hermoso like he would kiss one of his daughters
“There was no harm, no sexual content, no assault, none of that,” Rubiales told Piers Morgan Uncensored.
“The meaning of the kiss to Jenni would have been exactly the same as a kiss to one of my daughters.
“Among friends and family, it’s very, very common.”
He added: “In no case was there any assault and in no case was there any sexual content.
“I mean this, Piers, once again I made a mistake, I apologize, but let’s be clear, this is in no way sexual assault.”
Rubiales described the kiss as “a very happy moment, a celebration, a euphoric moment”, but admits that he “should have acted more solemn, cold and diplomatic”.
Hermoso filed a formal complaint last week before returning to Mexico where she plays soccer for her club and prosecutors announced Friday they had filed their formal complaint with a judge at Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional court.
The outgoing president of the Spanish Football Federation insisted the kiss was consensual and described it as a “kiss.”
Rubiales still faces the possibility of criminal prosecution for sexual assault and coercion over his “unsolicited kiss” after Spain’s National Court – the country’s highest court – opened a preliminary investigation into Rubiales’ behavior.
But the head of the Spanish FA defiantly claims the truth “will be revealed” in a criminal investigation.
“I have full confidence that the truth will come out and everything will be okay. Look at my face, I’m a good guy,” he said.
Rubiales (left) announced his resignation in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan (right)
The disgraced Spanish FA chief insisted the truth would be revealed in an investigation.
Rubiales also told Morgan that he spoke to his daughters Lucía, Ana and Elena, as well as his father and friends before making the decision to resign after weeks of clinging to the position.
“I have spoken with my daughters and they know this is not an issue that concerns me. They say I need to focus on my dignity and my life. In this current situation, this is the thing I have to do,” he said.
“Some very close friends told me: ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and get on with your life, otherwise you will harm the people you love and the sport you love.’
World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda was dismissed following Rubiales’ suspension, shortly after the outgoing president offered him a new contract.
