05 September 2023 , 13:26
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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has issued a fresh public statement apologising to "football and society as a whole" as fall out from Luis Rubiales' behaviour at the World Cup final continues.
Rubiales, 46, has been widely criticised after he kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the teams 1-0 win over England last month. Rubiales has repeatedly refused to resign over the kiss, although he has since been suspended by FIFA, which Hermoso said was not consensual.
Pedro Rocha, president of the RFEF has now issued and signed a grovelling apology for the episode. The statement reads: "The Royal Spanish Football Federation, through its President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, considers it essential to request the most sincere apologies to the whole of world football, of football institutions.
"The damage to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to all the values of football and sport has been enormous. We are especially saddened and embarrassed by the additional pain and distress this has caused."
Pedro Rocha, who issued the statement, has taken over as interim president during Luis Rubiales' suspension by FIFA (AP)Crucially, it adds that the actions of Rubiales "both at that moment (of the final) and the following hours are not acceptable under any circumstances." Rubiales was suspended by FIFA after refusing to resign, only five days after the final.
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Following Spain's 1-0 win over England Rubiales was also shown grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter in close proximity. Spain's national sports tribunal has also opened a misconduct case against him.
The statement also once again reiterates that member federations of the RFEF have called for Rubiales to resign. "All the presidents of the member federations of the Spanish Federation (RFEF) have demanded the immediate resignation of the president and have committed to carrying out a thorough review of the organisation's policies and procedures."
Apologising to "all world football institutions" including UEFA and FIFA, but especially to "players of the Spanish Football Team and the English Football Team, the open letter highlights "totally unacceptable behaviour of their highest institutional representative."
Luis Rubiales, President of RFEF, alongside coach Jorge Vilda (Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)On Monday, Spain's men's team called a public press conference to condemn the behaviour of Rubiales. Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the men's team, originally applauded Rubiales' speech where he stated he would not resign, but has since asked for forgiveness.