Spanish football chief Rubiales refuses to resign over player kiss

In this handout image released by the Spanish Royal Football Federation (RFEF) on August 25, 2023, RFEF President Luis Rubiales delivers a speech during an extraordinary general assembly of the federation on August 25, 2023 in Las Rozas de Madrid. – Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign today after a week of heavy criticism for his for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of female player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph. (Photo by Eidan RUBIO / RFEF / AFP) 

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday after a week of widespread criticism for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.

Rubiales, 46, had been expected to step down as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after government ministers and figures within sport demanded his resignation and world football’s governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him.

But he was defiant in a speech at an emergency meeting of the football federation.

“I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign,” shouted Rubiales

“A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end,” he added.

Rubiales said the pressure he has received this week from politicians and clubs was an attempt “to publicly assassinate me” and said he would defend himself by “taking action” against those people.

His words were applauded by controversial Spain’s women’s coach Jorge Vilda, as well as several others at the meeting.

The RFEF chief claimed his kiss on Hermoso’s lips was consensual and done in the same spirit as kissing his child.

“It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric, and consensual,” said Rubiales.

Hermoso had released a