Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales will REFUSE to resign over World Cup ‘kiss-gate’ as he plans another apology to ease political pressure to quit
- The Spanish FA president will reportedly not agree with calls to quit his position
- He has been criticised for kissing Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final
- WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 2 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show
Spanish FA President Luis Rubiales will not bow to pressure and resign from his role within the nation’s governing football body, according to reports, after sparking mass controversy by kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth and appearing to grab his crotch while celebrating Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory.
The 46-year-old has faced calls to quit following his podium actions, with Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez demanding an explanation for the official’s actions.
Rubiales will appear before the Spanish Football Federation on Friday after an emergency meeting was called where he will face questions over the World Cup fiasco.
A press release calling for a meeting stated: ‘The Royal Spanish Football Federation convenes, as a matter of urgency, an Extraordinary General Assembly for next Friday, August 25, starting at 12 noon, at the headquarters of the Ciudad del Fútbol de las Rozas.’
However, Rubiales has no plans to step down from his position and instead seeks to continue as FA president, as reported by AS.
Luis Rubiales is reportedly refusing to quit his position as president of the Spanish FA
Rubiales (right) kissed Jenni Hermoso (left) after the recent Women’s World Cup final
He will instead apologise again for his actions and attempt to provide a reasoning for his shocking display of affection that Hermoso revealed she ‘did not enjoy’.
Rubiales is seeking a UEFA representative to support his bid to stay in his role and wants to continue as president despite complaints being made about him to the FA.
USWNT star Megan Rapinoe was the latest high-profile figure to wade into the argument on Wednesday when she called out the ‘deep level of misogyny and sexism’ provoked by Rubiales’ behaviour.
The 38-year-old further hit out at Rubiales for grabbing his crotch while stood next to 16-year-old Infanta Sofia, the daughter of the King and Queen of Spain, in the VVIP section of Stadium Australia.
Rapinoe said: ‘There was another picture that signals such a deep level of misogyny and sexism in that federation and in that man (Rubiales) at the final whistle, just grabbing his crotch.
‘What kind of upside-down world are we in? On the biggest stage, where you should be celebrating, Jenni (Hermoso) has to be physically assaulted by this guy.’
Rubiales met with presidents of the territorial federations on Tuesday to seek their unwavering support for him but left the meeting empty-handed.
It is understood those in attendance didn’t sign a joint letter stating their backing for the under-pressure executive with some representatives missing.
Rubiales has already issued an apology via a video address but initially played down the severity of the kiss
The Las Palmas born official has already issued a publicly apology where he admitted making a ‘mistake.
‘There is also something I regret and it’s over something that happened between a female player and myself who enjoy a magnificent relationship the same as I have with other women players. I’ve no doubt made a mistake and I have to admit it.’
Rubiales (middle) is preparing to appear before the Spanish federation at a meeting on Friday
He continued: ‘At a moment of maximum excitement, without any bad intention or bad faith, what happened happened in a very spontaneous manner, I repeat without bad faith on either side.
‘We didn’t understand really what occurred afterwards because we saw it as something normal and natural but it has caused a controversy in some sectors and some people appear to have been upset and therefore I have to apologise.
‘Moreover I have to learn from this and understand that when someone presides an institution as important as the Spanish FA he has to take more care in events like ceremonies.’
However, it is expected that he will have to provide a more thorough account of his reasons behind kissing Hermoso, in Friday’s meeting.
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