Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish federation president apologizes for crotch gesture after Women’s World Cup final
uis Rubiales has apologized after he was pictured grabbing his crotch near Queen Letizia and her daughter while celebrating Spain’s victory at the World Cup.
In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored on Talk TV, Rubiales said he felt “really ashamed” for his actions, adding that there were “no excuses” for his behavior.
The 46-year-old, who resigned as president of the Spanish Football Association on Sunday, will appear in a Madrid court on Friday over his kiss with Spanish striker Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales was subpoenaed by a Supreme Court judge to answer allegations of sexual assault and coercion.
During his interview with Morgan on Wednesday night, he insisted that his kiss with Hermoso was a “mutual act.” Rubiales admitted it was a mistake given his role as president but did not apologize to the Spanish striker.
However, he apologized for his behavior at the end of the World Cup final when he was seen in the stands grabbing his crotch near Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter.
“I’m really ashamed of that,” he said. “More from an internal perspective than anything else. There are no excuses. I apologize because it’s not the behavior I need to do.
“In Spain there is an expression used by both men and women that would probably mean something like “Oh my genitals” or something to that effect. So this vulgar expression means Bravo, well done.
“When the final whistle blew, [former Spain head coach] Jorge Vilda looked at me and said, “This is for you,” gesturing quite heavily. I pointed back and said, “No, no, this is for you.” This is for you, for all the suffering we have suffered.
“And so I made a gesture, it was regrettable but not meant in a negative way. I wanted to say bravo, well done.”
Rubiales said during his interview with Morgan that “the truth has not come out” and cultural misunderstandings led to a reaction to his kiss with Hermoso that blew up.
“I think Latin American people, and this is a cultural question, have this sense of touch [approach]“It’s pretty normal in a Latin American world between men and women,” he said.
“It was a mutual act. She (Hermoso) came to me very happy. She lifted me up, she lifted me into the air.
Rubiales insisted during his interview with Morgan on Wednesday night that his kiss with Hermoso was a “mutual act.”
/ IT“When we landed on the ground there was a short conversation. When we hit the ground there was a short conversation, we were both emotional.
“We congratulated each other and I gave her a quick kiss. I asked her, “Can I give you a quick kiss?” Which is normal in our country. I think she gave me a slap or two on the side, she laughed.
“It turned out to be a snowball created by false arguments and false people. My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 percent non-sexual, 100 percent, I repeat, 100 percent.
“I understand that as president I should have acted more solemnly, coolly and diplomatically. “
Asked if he would have done the same if it had been about the Spanish men’s team, Rubiales added: “No doubt, 100 percent.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/luis-rubiales-hermoso-spanish-fa-womens-world-cup-final-2023-b1106714.html Luis Rubiales: Former Spanish federation president apologizes for crotch gesture after Women’s World Cup final
