Luis Rubiales stands by his words: "I'm not apologizing to Jenni Hermoso"

BarcelonaAfter months out of the spotlight, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has once again lashed out at Jenni Hermoso. "I apologize to the others, but I can't apologize to Jenni Hermoso, since I asked her [for the kiss] and she said 'okay'," he told reporters on Tuesday. The beach barRubiales also questioned his sentence of an 18-month fine"The ruling will say whatever it says, but both Jenni and I know that's not what happened."

For this reason, the former president of the RFEF explained that he will appeal the decision because he is convinced that what happened "is not sexual assault." It should be noted that, for her part, once the ruling was known, Jenni Hermoso also announced that she would appeal, since the text acquitted Rubiales of the crime of coercion. "As I have done before, I must admit that it was a mistake, that I didn't act right. I should have acted in a more presidential manner. But everything that came after was excessive and distorted," she added.

The former footballer also took advantage of the interview to point to a series of "pressures" and a hidden hand: "There was an immediate move by the far left in our country. In a context in which Pedro Sánchez needed the support of the separatists to be invested, he found a smokescreen." Thus, Rubiales explained that the uproar created the "perfect storm" for Sánchez to obtain "the investiture in exchange for the amnesty law." He also attacked the behavior of Yolanda Díaz and Irene Montero. In his opinion, Díaz deprived him of the presumption of innocence "that every Spaniard should enjoy." Regarding Montero, Rubiales criticized some of her decisions: "I think that a woman who did what she did with the amnesty law..." Only yes means yes, "He who allowed rapists back on the streets has no moral authority to speak about it."

Aside from the Hermoso kiss case, Rubiales has another legal battle underway regarding the contract to bring the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. "I've been in court for years. There were no commissions for the Super Cup. I've never taken commissions; on the contrary, I've prevented any from happening at the RFEF," he explained regarding the case currently under investigation. In fact, to prove it, he explained that he was offered the rights to the Copa del Rey and rejected it, as they are awarded through an auction.