Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has been shaken by further damaging claims.
Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup ‘kiss-gate’ scandal after kissing Spain player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth without her consent after Spain beat England 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final. world on Sunday.
He refused to resign despite being investigated for sexual assault as a football chief filed a criminal complaint following his actions towards Hermoso. He eventually apologized but Hermoso turned down the opportunity to appear in his apology video despite pleading “My position is on the line, do it for my daughters”.
And as reported by the Spanish media El ConfidentialRubiales now faces charges that he took a Mexican woman on a six-day vacation to New York.
He also allegedly harassed and humiliated a colleague, who claimed to have asked him questions about the color of his underwear and about wearing “knee pads” during meetings where they worked together.
Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales, 46, was rocked by new damaging allegations on Wednesday.
Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup ‘kiss-gate’ scandal after he kissed Spain player Jennifer Hermoso (centre) on the mouth without her consent after winning the World Cup.
Former colleague Tamara Ramos Cruz accused him of workplace harassment, while Rubiales was also accused of taking a Mexican woman on a six-day vacation to New York.
Judge Delia Rodrigo and the prosecutor asked Roman Ignacio Rodriguez Fernández to provide details of the dates and evidence of the trip to New York.
Rodriguez Fernández was the main shareholder of the advertising, media and events company DDP SL, which was in regular contact with the Spanish Federation, still led by Rubiales.
El Confidencial reports that he heard dozens of audio messages that prove that a Mexican, painter, with whom Rubiales had a close relationship, was hired at DDP SL, after having also worked in the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE ) when Rubiales was president. They also confirm that the couple traveled together to Manhattan, New York.
They also claim he made the trip to New York via Viajes El Corte Ingles and billed the Spanish Federation for the cost of flights, hotel and rental car, claiming it was a work-related trip – a charge that could lead to a prison sentence. up to three years if proven.
It is added that he advised those close to him what to say if they were asked about his trip, saying: “At the moment the story is that we have a meeting with MLS and later also with the ‘UN to eat with them’, okay? So first MLS, tomorrow around nine o’clock so we’ll go at eight o’clock, something like that. So we’ll meet tomorrow. And then we have to eat with the UN people.
According to El Confidencial sources, none of these meetings actually existed. The executives of Relevent, which organizes sporting events in New York, did ask Rubiales out on a date and he reportedly agreed to meet at a restaurant in Manhattan, but pulled out at the last minute.
The judicial investigation is continuing.
Rubiales was also accused on Wednesday of constant harassment at work by her former colleague Tamara Ramos Cruz, who said she asked her what color of underwear she wore in front of Spanish players Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas and Sergio Busquets.
Rubiales’ controversial actions, for which he later apologized, were widely criticized
In a television interview, Ramos Cruz said: “I have suffered humiliations, beatings and words that I cannot repeat from Rubiales, it has been scandalous for a long time.
“In front of everyone, he said to me ‘you came to put on your knee pads’. These are words no one deserves, I was a professional just trying to do my job.
“He also said, ‘I was wondering what color of underwear are you wearing today? “As a woman, in the world of football, there are not many of us. With the power he held and holds today, it was very difficult to face him.
The alleged events happened 10 years ago and when asked why she raised these issues now, she replied, “Now they’re going to believe me” in the context of her non-consensual kiss with Hermoso.
She added: “It does not surprise me at all (that he kissed Hermoso) because I have known him for many years and suffered from him, what surprised me was that he did it in public.”
Attacking midfielder Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca, admitted she ‘didn’t like it’ when Rubiales grabbed her and hugged her before kissing her on the lips at the celebratory podium after the game, for which he later reluctantly apologized. although he initially defended his behavior.
He also grabbed her crotch, which was described by American legend Megan Rapinoe as a “signal of a deep level of misogyny and sexism”, who insisted her kiss was a “physical assault”.
Spanish football chief Miguel Ángel Galán has filed a complaint with the Madrid public prosecutor’s office and the state attorney general’s office, alleging that Rubiales’ actions amounted to sexual assault.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized Rubiales and asked him to explain the kiss. Sports MailIan Herbert of Ian Herbert described Rubiales as “reptilian” and “creepy”, as it emerged that Rubiales allegedly begged Hermoso to shoot an apology video with him.
The news comes the same day Sports Mail reported that Spain coach Jorge Vilda appeared to grab the chest of a female staff member during celebrations for the World Cup final.
Mail Sport has contacted the Spanish FA for comment.
