Spanish federation chief refuses to resign over World Cup kiss scandal

MADRID: Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales refused to quit on Friday (Aug 25) for kissing World Cup star Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's World Cup victory, fuelling anger among players and government ministers who decried his actions as unacceptable macho behaviour.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rubiales complained that "false feminists" were "trying to kill me".

He described the kiss as a "little peck" that was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual".

"Is a consensual peck going to take me out of here? I won't resign. I will fight until the end," Rubiales said, drawing applause from the predominantly male audience.

Criticism of Rubiales's behaviour has built throughout the week. The incident occurred while the players were being handed their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.

As players filed past, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her mouth.

Hermoso, who said after the final that she did not enjoy Rubiales' kiss, added on Wednesday that her union FUTPRO and her agency TMJ were defending her interests in the matter.

The government confirmed on Friday it will take the incident before a sport tribunal where, if it can be proven the kiss was non-consensual, he could be tried under a sexual violence law introduced by the ruling Socialists last year.

Rubiales' speech at the RFEF assembly drew immediate condemnation from acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, who described it as "unacceptable".

"The government must act and take urgent measures: Impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office," Diaz wrote on social media.

Acting Equality Minister Irene Montero said the