Luis Rubiales' uncle throws eggs at him during his book presentation in Madrid

BarcelonaAfter months out of the spotlight, former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, is back in the public eye. He has presented his book. Kill Rubialeswhere he discusses the non-consensual kiss with Jenni Hermoso and his forced departure from the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation). It's a controversial topic that has garnered significant media attention and was the subject of an incident in Madrid this Thursday. While Rubiales was giving the presentation, a man in the audience interrupted the event by throwing eggs at him.

Rubiales responded to the attack, first dodging the eggs and then confronting the aggressor. The police arrested the person, who, according to Rubiales himself, is his uncle, Luis Rubén Rubiales, his father's brother, who had previously filed a complaint against him and accuses him of dividing the family. After a brief interruption, the event resumed with the former president of the RFEF announcing legal action against his relative. In the series of interviews and presentations he has given so far, Rubiales has again lashed out at Jenni Hermoso and reaffirmed that he "did nothing illegal." In an interview on Catalunya Ràdio, he stated that "the kiss happened, but it was always consensual," and that he made a mistake within what was an "institutional situation" in which he fell short. Rubiales refuses to apologize to 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 had said this Tuesday in another interview, now in The beach barRubiales, who is promoting his book in various media outlets, questioned his sentence of an 18-month fine"The verdict will say whatever it is, but both Jenni and I know that's not what happened." This Wednesday, she added: "I hope they don't want to kill me. Rubiales is alive, he's strong. I have my family with me, and this book is a demonstration of responsibility," and she referred to the media that, she argues, constructed "a false narrative."

Meanwhile, Irene Montero, in a video on her Instagram, responded forcefully to Rubiales' statements to The beach bar: "Look, Luis, the problem isn't that I don't have a clue about football; the problem is that, these days, you still haven't realized that a non-consensual kiss is sexual violence." Montero, who had previously been Minister of Equality, began her speech with irony: "Come on, another heartbroken man whose life we feminists have ruined and who now only has to go on football programs. He learned Jenni Hermoso's name that day, because he didn't know the name of any player and has never been interested in women's football." She also said: "A woman who has done what she has done with the law of only yes means yes"He who has allowed rapists to remain free on the streets, does not have the moral authority to speak about it."

Rubiales will appeal the court decision

The former president of the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) 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, Jenni Hermoso also announced that she would appeal the verdict, as it acquitted Rubiales of the charge 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 followed was excessive and distorted," she stated on Tuesday.

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 where Pedro Sánchez needed the support of the separatists to be invested as prime minister, they 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," adding that the Prime Minister "is a fraud" and calling him a liar. 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"...who allowed rapists back on the streets, has no moral authority to speak on this subject."

Rubiales maintains that the "dogmatic participation of the country's left" has contributed to a false narrative and portrays him as "ignorant and corrupt," and that he has always acted properly. He also declared, "I have never paid for an escort," he retorted.

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, which is currently under investigation. In fact, to demonstrate this, he explained that he was offered the rights to the Copa del Rey and rejected it, as they are awarded through an auction.