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The Spanish football chief at the centre of the World Cup kissing storm was once on the books of Scottish club Hamilton Academical – but quit after just four games.
Luis Rubiales has been suspended from all football activity by FIFA following his part in the controversial incident after Spain's women beat England's Lionesses in the final when he kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso ahead of the trophy presentation.
The 46-year-old has defended his actions, insisting there were no "bad intentions" and refused to step down from his post after claiming the kiss was "mutual and consensual". Spain's Football Federation (RFEF) have defended their president, who has been in charge since 2018, and vowed to take legal action against Hermoso after accusing her of lying.
READ MORE: Spanish FA creep’s mum locks herself in church and goes on hunger strike to support son
Rubiales retired from playing nine years prior to being elected into his role, culminating a decent career at Hamilton where he flopped and made just four appearances – all of which ended in defeat. Hamilton eventually agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent with Rubiales citing family reasons behind his departure.
He had been on the books of Valencia and Atletico Madrid during his youth, though started his senior career in the Spanish second division at Guadix, before featuring for Mallorca's B side and moving on to Lleida, Xerez, Levante and Alicante, before later pitching up in Scotland.
The incident with Hermoso has now thrust Rubiales back into the spotlight as the saga continues to rumble on. It was announced on Monday that Rubiales' mother had locked herself in a local church and declared she was going on hunger strike in the fight for "justice" for her son.
Rubiales claims he asked Hermoso if he could give her "a little kiss" when they embraced on stage, and claims she agreed. He also stated the kiss "was the same I could give one of my daughters".
Hermoso has called in players union FUTPRO to represent her, however, after insisting Rubiales' claims are false. "I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part," she said in a statement.
"I want to make it clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales refers to in his address take place, and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual. I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident."
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Spain's entire World Cup-winning squad have since declared they will not play for their country again until there is a change in the leadership of the RFEF. All of Spain's coaching staff apart from manager Jorge Vilda have also resigned.
The RFEF responded to Hermoso's statement by backing their president and calling out the Spain star with accusations she was lying. FIFA have since suspended Rubiales from all football activity in response to the incident, while the RFEF called an urgent meeting to discuss what happens next.
Rubiales' mum Angeles Bejar, told reporters as she began her hunger strike that the treatment of her son was an “inhumane and bloody witch-hunt" and told Spanish press: “They’re doing to my son something he doesn’t deserve.”
- World Cup
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