Luis Rubiales has stated the “truth hasn’t surfaced” referring to the kiss that overshadowed Spain’s World Cup triumph, thrust him into the highlight and price him his job.
The former Spanish FA president is because of testify in court docket this Friday over his allegedly unsolicited kiss on the lips of Spanish ahead Jenni Hermoso.
Mr Rubiales, who was suspended by soccer’s governing physique FIFA over the kiss, stated in a translated interview on TalkTV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored that he had “full faith the truth [would] come out and [that] everything will be fine” earlier than his court docket look.
He added: “I am a good guy, look at me in the eyes.”
The 80-minute interview lined a timeline of occasions beginning with the incident itself to his resignation the place he could not “continue [his] work”.
Speaking concerning the kiss, the 46-year-old stated his actions weren’t of a president, repeatedly saying he “made a mistake”.
Rubiales attributed the kiss to “great joy” with out “sexual connotation” and referred to it as a “mutual act” – phrases mirrored in his defiant stance when he was nonetheless president.
Hermoso has repeatedly stated the kiss was not consensual revealing afterwards that she “didn’t like it”.
She filed a criticism with the prosecutor’s workplace final week.
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Hundreds attend protest in opposition to Luis Rubiales in Madrid.
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Rubiales wouldn’t instantly apologise to the footballer within the interview regardless of being pressed a couple of occasions by Morgan, as a substitute insisting he wanted to “defend the stance [he took] since the very first day… on an act both consented to”.
“What is left is me to defend my dignity,” Rubiales added.
He had accused Hermoso of mendacity concerning the kiss, pointing to the ahead lifting him off the bottom first.
Pic: Noe Llamas/SPP/Shutterstock
The father of three daughters was requested of his response ought to certainly one of his kids hypothetically win the World Cup and was handled in the same method, to which Rubiales stated “irrespective of who the father is and daughter is, two consenting adults in a moment that was mutual”.
‘Normal in our nation’
Rubiales informed Morgan he had a fast dialog with Hermoso earlier than the kiss then proceeded to offer her “a quick peck… which is normal in our country”.
He added: “I think Latin people have that tactile (nature). It’s just normal to that level of excitement and happiness that we felt during that final.”
He stated if the Spanish males’s group had gained the trophy there could be “no doubt about it” – he would have kissed them too, citing moments throughout his footballing days the place “pecks on the lips” got when relegation was averted or promotion achieved.
Widespread condemnation
The furore following the incident was widespread, with requires Rubiales’ resignation, together with from Spanish deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz, and female and male Spanish nationwide group gamers saying they might boycott matches.
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His actions aren’t ‘consultant of our nation’
England’s Lionesses who have been defeated within the last additionally condemned the state of affairs.
The ex-Spanish soccer chief would “not comment on third parties” saying: “I don’t want any more wars here”.
He additionally did not touch upon Woody Allen – additionally tied to allegations of sexual abuse – who reportedly defended him.
On his 90-day suspension by FIFA two weeks in the past, Rubiales “objectively” believed it was “wrong” saying it was a “quick decision” with out permitting him to defend himself.
The Spanish ladies’s soccer group coach Jorge Vilda, who Rubiales defended within the interview, was sacked in wake of the controversy.
Rubiales additionally briefly spoke about his mom, who locked herself in church and went on starvation strike for her son.
Meanwhile, Hermoso obtained an emotional welcome again to her Mexican membership Pachuca on Monday, hours after Rubiales’ resignation.
It was the primary time the attacking midfielder has performed since lifting the World Cup trophy on 20 August.
Content Source: information.sky.com