Sports
Spanish Football Chief Rubiales Refuses To Resign Over Player Kiss
Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday after a week of widespread criticism for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
Rubiales, 46, had been expected to step down as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after government ministers and figures within sport demanded his resignation and world football’s governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him.
But he was defiant in a speech at an emergency meeting of the football federation.
“I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign,” shouted Rubiales
“A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end,” he added.
Rubiales said the pressure he has received this week from politicians and clubs was an attempt “to publicly assassinate me” and said he would defend himself by “taking action” against those people.
His words were applauded by controversial Spain’s women’s coach Jorge Vilda, as well as several others at the meeting.
The RFEF chief claimed his kiss on Hermoso’s lips was consensual and done in the same spirit as kissing his child.
“It was a spontaneous kiss, mutual, euphoric, and consensual,” said Rubiales.
Hermoso had released a statement Wednesday saying women players’ union Futpro were defending her interests. Futpro said Rubiales’ actions should not go “unpunished”.
On Friday, the RFEF chief railed against “false feminism” and said he had been “hunted” since taking the job in May 2018.
“When I make a mistake it hurts me and I ask for forgiveness without softening it, but I do not deserve this hunt that I have been suffering for five years, every day for five years.
“I’m going to keep fighting like my parents taught me, like my coaches, my teammates.”
Rubiales referred to his critics and insisted his kiss could not be compared to sexual assault.
“For god’s sake, what will women think who have really been sexually assaulted?” said Rubiales.
His refusal to resign and his fiery speech prompted a rapid reaction from politicians.
“What we have seen today at the federation assembly is unacceptable,” wrote second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz on social network X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The government must act and take urgent measures: impunity for macho actions is over. Rubiales cannot continue in office.”
Spain’s High Council of Sport (CSD) said it would take action against Rubiales.
“As of this moment, I have just activated all the instruments within the CSD to take the appropriate measures that are in our hands,” CSD president Victor Francos told radio station Cadena Ser.
“(We will) analyse the complaints, analyse the case … they have not formally sent us a report, but I said that this was not going to delay the process.”
He continued: “Today I can already announce that we are going to take the case to the TAD (Spain’s sports court) … I am sincerely surprised.”
‘Embarrassment’
Spain’s defender #20 Rocio Galvez is congratulated by President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales (R) next to Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso after winning the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup final football match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has frequently sparred with Rubiales and the RFEF, was heavily critical.
“The misogynistic gestures, foul expressions, disastrous protocol and insults of this latest global embarrassment come as no surprise,” said Tebas on X.
“The list of women and men wronged by Luis Rubiales in these years is too long and this must stop.”
Rubiales did offer one apology — for grabbing his crotch during the celebrations of the 1-0 win against England in the final while standing next to Spain’s Queen Letizia.
“I want to say sorry for the deeds that happened in a moment of euphoria, I grabbed that part of my body and did so looking at Jorge Vilda (the coach),” he said on Friday.
“I was so emotional, I lost control and I took my hands there.”
Along with the presidents of Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Sevilla, among other clubs, the Spanish players’ association (AFE), which Rubiales formerly chaired, had called for him to step down.
“In the event that Mr. Rubiales does not resign immediately, the AFE demands that the (relevant sports law) be applied,” said the association in a statement Tuesday.
“We demand that the relevant authorities adopt the necessary and forceful measures that an episode of these characteristics deserves due to its seriousness.”
Rubiales also said he had started the process of offering coach Vilda a new deal on a 500,000-euro ($540,000) salary.
Spain arrived at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand shrouded in controversy, after 15 players refused to play because of disagreements with the federation and complaints about Vilda’s methods, although some relented and three formed part of the winning squad.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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