Rubiales in Hot Water Over Allegations
A Bold Defense Against Serious Accusations
The ex-president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, is embroiled in controversy once more. This time, he's facing accusations of inappropriately touching and kissing certain female footballers—not from Spain, but England—after the Women's World Cup final in 2023. Rubiales claims that his gestures were just expressions of affection, which were misconstrued.
Accusations from High Places
The president of the English Football Association, Debbie Hewitt, aired her grievances regarding Rubiales' actions. She alleged that he "embraced and caressed" the face of England international Laura Coombs after the final, finding the gesture "somewhat strange." He then went on to "energetically" kiss her teammate Lucy Bronze, according to Hewitt's statement.
Photographic evidence showcases the moment when Rubiales held Bronze by the arms, planting a kiss on her ear. In the public's eye, it appeared pretty indiscreet.
Setting the Record Straight
Rubiales' defense team responded fiercely to Hewitt's accusations. They stated that the former football boss's gestures were meant to be encouragements, and that Hewitt chose to interpret them as "disgusting" actions. Rubiales' defense team also pointed out that both Bronze and Coombs bore connections to Spain: Bronze played there, and Coombs, though missing from action in the final, was previously injured and had starred at the Spanish Super Cup.
The Fallout
The FIFA ban on Rubiales ensued, resulting from his behavior towards Spanish players in the aftermath of their victory over England. Rubiales had infamously kissed national player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the medal presentation ceremony, and FIFA deemed this a violation of their regulations.
Rubiales' actions towards the Spanish coach, Jorge Vilda, during the game, including mocking gestures and grabbing his crotch, also intensified global indignation.
Knowledge Base
- Nigerian striker, Asisat Oshoala, continued her trailblazing journey in women's football.
- Fifa's recording of Rubiales' interaction with Jennifer Hermoso during the World Cup winning ceremony sparked controversy.
- Rubiales's lawyers claimed that the video falsely depicted his words and actions, leading to his three-year ban.
The 2023 Women's World Cup final saw the rise of lingering accusations against Luis Rubiales. Leaked footage revealed questionable conduct towards Spanish players, and his treatment of English rivals didn't go unnoticed either. Regardless of the truth behind these claims, Rubiales remains a controversial figure in the world of football.
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Sources
- ESPN ()
- The Sun Online ()
- Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
- BBC Sport (www.bbc.co.uk/sport)
- The Independent (www.independent.co.uk)
- The Guardian (www.theguardian.com)
- The Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- Dailymail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
