He wouldn’t budge. Despite public opinion, despite his suspension from football functions for three years imposed by CAS and despite the justice of his country having been confirmed on appeal, last June his punishment was a fine of 10,800 euros for the kiss inflicted on player Jenni Hermoso during the victory ceremony at the World Cup in August 2023, Lui Rubiales continues to deny the facts and hide behind the victim’s jersey.
The former president of the Spanish Football Federation, who published a book with the explicit title “Killing Rubiales”, was invited to the set of the show El Chiringuito to promote it and give his side of the story. He also reiterated once again that he denies his actions were of a sexual and coercive nature and announced that he had “appealed the sentence”.
“We believe this is not sexual harassment and we have the right to appeal,” he explained. The sentence was changed disproportionately. That’s called “non-consensual kissing.” The trial is currently suspended. This case must be taken to the Supreme Court. There must be sexual intent in the kiss. This should be clearly defined in the award. We have an argument to say that there was a mistake, but not a crime. »
Moreover, according to the former Spanish football powerhouse, the player will give his consent to kiss him on the podium after the world title. “It was a mistake, I didn’t do the right thing,” he admitted… before explaining further. “From there to everything that happened, everything was distorted, pushed to the extreme… by vested interests. This is more than I deserved. I stand by my word. I apologize, once again I apologize. As president, I should have been calmer, more professional. I didn’t apologize to Jenni Hermoso because I asked for it and she said: Okay “.
“Jenni and I know what the ruling says is wrong”
Rubiales accused Hermoso of lying and taking advantage of the situation. “Jenni and I know that what was decided in the verdict was wrong. I will not change my original testimony as she did. It was an emotional kiss, without any sexual connotations. Jenni is a good friend… Jenni is my friend. »
He described himself as the victim of a “sudden movement of the extreme left” that created a “parallel reality” to take over the issue, and denounced the “smoke screen” that was supposedly created to protect socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Note that Rubiales, who in interviews also assured that he strongly influenced Lamine Yamal to play in the Spanish selection, is also on trial in another case. Namely corruption surrounding the contract to transfer the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. The investigation concerns a series of irregular contracts entered into by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) during his term as president, between 2018 and 2023.
Luis Rubiales has denied receiving money in an “irregular” way in this other procedure involving several RFEF leaders and former collaborators and has pushed the Spanish government to put the body under supervision “in the interests” of the country, a potential 2030 World Cup co-host with Morocco and Portugal.
