Spanish soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales’ mother said on Monday she’s going on hunger strike to protest the “inhumane treatment” of her son who has been suspended by FIFA and is under investigation after being accused of kissing women’s national team member Jenni Hermoso without her consent following Spain’s World Cup victory last weekend.
President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso of Spain ... [+]
Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, and her sister locked themselves inside a church in the soccer chief’s hometown of Motril in southern Spain as she plans to go on hunger strike, Reuters reported, citing Spanish news agency EFE.
Bejar intends to remain on an “indefinite” hunger strike until the end of what she says is an “inhuman and bloody hunt” against her son who “does not deserve” it.
Bejar insisted her son is “incapable of hurting anyone” as there was consent from “both sides” regarding the kiss; despite Hermoso stating that she did not consent.
The soccer administrator’s mother has also urged Hermoso to “stick to the version” of the incident she shared “at the beginning.”
Neither Rubiales nor Hermoso have reacted to this hunger strike yet.
Controversy over Rubiales’ actions erupted last week after he kissed Hermoso following the Spanish team’s victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. As the team walked up to receive their winning medals, Rubiales was seen on video and in photos holding Hermoso's face and kissing her on the mouth. In an Instagram livestream immediately after the event, the soccer star said she did not like being kissed by the Spanish soccer chief. In response to a torrent of criticism, Rubiales initially apologized to the people “who were offended” but later doubled down that the kiss was consensual and he had done nothing wrong. After Hermoso released a statement on social media stating “at no time... was his kiss ever consensual,” the Spanish soccer federation threatened to take legal action against her. Rubiales was eventually suspended by FIFA, after which the national soccer body opened an investigation into his actions.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is set to hold an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting on Monday to assess the issue. Separately the Spanish government has urged the country’s Sports Tribunal to suspend Rubiales, which will also be discussed by the tribunal on Monday.
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