Luis Rubiales has steadfastly refused to resign as president of the Spanish Football Federation after criticism for his actions at the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
Rubiales, 46, gave forward Jenni Hermoso a kiss on the lips after Spain defeated England 1-0.
He had earlier grabbed his crotch as he celebrated at the final whistle.
He told the federation’s extraordinary general assembly, “I will not resign, I will not resign. A social assassination is taking place.”
Rubiales apologized for the kiss on Monday before Fifa, world football’s governing body, opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday.
He apologized for grabbing his crotch On Friday while celebrating in the VIP area of Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter stood nearby.
“I’m ready to be vilified to defend my ideals,” added Rubiales. “I don’t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.
“I want to apologise without reservations for everything that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body that you have already seen.
“Of course I have to apologise, to the Queen, and to everyone who has felt offended. I have been in countless boxes and I have never behaved like that.”
Rubiales was repeatedly applauded as he addressed the assembly, which the federation called “as a matter of urgency”.
He defended himself by saying that he was just trying to comfort Hermoso after Mary Earps had saved her late penalty.
“Jenni was the one who lifted me up,” he said. “I told her to ‘forget about the penalty’ and I said to her ‘a little peck?’ and she said ‘OK’.
“It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key.
“A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end.”
Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, criticized Rubiales’ initial apology as “not enough,” and Yolanda Diaz, the second deputy prime minister, joined the chorus of people urging him to step down.
Futpro, a union representing Hermoso, said the incident should not go unpunished , and the 33-year-old forward asserted that the union would “defend my interests” in the case.
The 101-cap Pachuca player initially stated on Instagram that she “didn’t like” Rubiales’ actions; however, a statement later issued on her behalf defended him.
Source- BBC
