28 August 2023 , 09:16
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Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has slammed Luis Rubiales for “damaging the image of our country and our football” amid the ongoing scandal concerning the disgraced Spanish FA president.
Rubiales has been entrenched in controversy following his unsolicited kiss with Spain striker Jennifer Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy presentation. The 46-year-old – who was also seen grabbing his crotch during full-time celebrations – held a sensational press conference last week emphatically declaring his victimisation by “faux feminism” and refusing to resign.
The RFEF chief has been provisionally suspended for 90 days by international governing body FIFA, with the Spanish FA meeting for crisis talks on Monday (August 28).
Rubiales' refusal to resign from his position has incited an onslaught of censure from around the world, along with protests and resignations en masse across the federation. Divisive women’s head coach Jorge Vilda’s entire coaching staff fantastically announced their departures over the weekend until the matter is resolved.
And legendary Spanish midfielder Iniesta has joined in condemning Rubiales for marring the achievements of the women's national team and calling for his expulsion.
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Iniesta wrote on social media: “After what has happened this week, I would like to convey my sadness, as a person, as the father of three daughters, as a husband and as a footballer, in the face of the events that we are experiencing in our football and around the Spanish women's team.
“I believe that we cannot tolerate performances like the ones we have seen, which have tarnished a milestone as big as winning a World Cup. I cannot imagine the feeling that all the players of the national team must have right now seeing how they are not talking about the great tournament they had and the fantastic football they taught us all.
“It's a shame that a beautiful story that many players have built over so many years has become dirty.
Andres Iniesta won the World Cup with the Spanish men's team in 2010“Instead, we have had to put up with a president who has held on to his position, who has not admitted that his behavior has been unacceptable and that it is damaging the image of our country and our football around the world. #seacabo ”.
Iniesta, who won the men's World Cup with Spain in 2010, joins a growing collective of current and former male footballers calling out Rubiales for his behaviour. Real Betis stars and Spain internationals Hector Bellerin and Borja Iglesias both announced they will not be available for selection while Rubiales remains in office.
Meanwhile, Sevilla FC unveiled shirts with the words "It's over" ahead of their La Liga defeat to Girona on Saturday in a show of solidarity.
Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following their World Cup triumph (Noe Llamas/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)And current Barcelona head coach and former midfielder Xavi Hernandez similarly blasted Rubiales during a pre-match press conference, stating that he "condemn[ed] the behaviour of the RFEF president, which was totally unacceptable".
Iniesta’s criticism of Rubiales arrives shortly after the Spanish FA threatened legal action against Hermoso and “those falsifying reality”.
Under-fire Rubiales faces a probe from the Spanish government, who have started legal proceedings.