After the kissing scandal

Luis Rubiales: “Why? Because I’m a man?”

Luis Rubiales, the ex-football boss accused of corruption and sexual aggression in Spain, has once again denied all accusations. In an interview broadcast by TV station La Sexta late on Wednesday evening, Rubiales asserted that he had not done any illegal business and had not made any money outside Spain. Regarding the scandal surrounding the kiss on the mouth of world champion Jennifer Hermoso, which he said was consensual, he said forcefully: "You can't question Ms. Hermoso's claims, but you can question mine. Why? Because I am a man?"

Rubiales was detained by police at Madrid airport on Wednesday on his return home after a trip to the Caribbean. He is expected to receive a summons from the competent judge soon to be questioned about, among other things, contracts that were allegedly concluded irregularly by the federation (RFEF) during his five-year presidency. The allegations include corruption in business transactions, unfair administration and money laundering.

Luis Rubiales(Bild: APA/AFP/Thomas COEX)

Anger about "lies"
In an interview with La Sexta, Rubiales said that it would "never be possible to prove" that he had money and other assets abroad. "It's a lie that I did illegal business with apartments here (note: in the Dominican Republic, where the interview took place) and that I own a baseball team. It's a lie that I made a fortune in Cape Verde and that I own land for the construction of hotels in Saudi Arabia."

Among the alleged irregular contracts is the awarding of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia, which Rubiales arranged together with former Barcelona professional and current businessman Gerard Piqué. RFEF offices were also searched during the investigation and several people were arrested. Rubiales faces several years in prison in this case and also in the criminal proceedings relating to the kissing affair.

Scandal at the award ceremony 
The Spaniard resigned as head of the RFEF in September in the wake of the scandal at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, which caused a worldwide stir last summer. He was banned for three years by FIFA, among others. The 46-year-old had kissed Hermoso (33) on the mouth at the award ceremony after winning the World Cup title. The striker contradicted Rubiales' statement that the kiss was consensual ("I asked her beforehand", said the former official) and filed a complaint.