Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales was sensationally caught on camera grabbing his crotch in wild scenes alongside Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Princess Infanta Sofía.
Rubiales is already under fire after unwelcomely kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after beating England 1-0 in the World Cup final.
And now damning footage is circulating on Twitter showing Rubiales’ scandalous celebration in the stands at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on August 20.
Football fans were incredulous at the vision, with many taking to social media to express the opinion that Rubiales should resign.
“This ugly gesture and kissing a player’s mouth requires his immediate resignation,” one supporter wrote on Twitter.
Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales was filmed grabbing his crotch in wild scenes at the World Cup final (pictured) – with the Queen of Spain and her daughter (pictured left in a red striped-sleeved top) just meters away in the stands
Rubiales (pictured right, with the Spanish queen) is already under fire after unwelcomely kissing Jenni Hermoso on the mouth after the 1-0 win over England
Another said: “Spanish football really sucks when that idiot shows his face.”
In addition, the footage also shows Rubiales lifting another player – Athenea del Castillo – over his shoulder shortly after his season ended.
It appears that Rubiales has refused to resign despite being charged with a sexual assault allegation that a football boss had filed a criminal complaint over his actions against Hermoso.
He eventually apologized, but Hermoso turned down the chance to appear in his apology video, though he begged, “My position is at stake, do it for my daughters.”
Rubiales is also said to have harassed and humiliated a colleague who claimed he asked her the color of her underwear and whether she wore “knee pads” in meetings when they worked together.
Attacking midfielder Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca, admitted she “didn’t like it” as Rubiales grabbed her and hugged her tightly before kissing her on the lips on the podium.
Rubiales’ behavior was described as “signaling a deep level of misogyny and sexism” by USWNT midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who also insisted his kiss was a form of “physical assault.”
Luis Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup scandal after he kissed Spanish women’s star Jennifer Hermoso (pictured) on the mouth without her consent after they won the World Cup
Rubiales also outraged many when he carried Athenea del Castillo on his shoulders after the final
Spanish football boss Miguel Ángel Galán has filed a complaint with the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office alleging that Rubiales’ actions amounted to sexual assault.
Galan said: “I would like to file a complaint against Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation, for committing an alleged sexual assault against Jennifer Hermoso of the Spanish women’s football team.”
“This was an intolerable act of sexist behavior in our sport that could constitute alleged sexual assault.” I therefore request that a complaint be filed.”
Galan had already lodged a written complaint with the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and was following the criminal route with his latest actions.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also called out Rubiales and asked him to explain the public kiss.
Rubiales said in his apology: “There is also something I regret, and that’s because of something that happened between a player and I who have the same great relationship that I have with other players.” I made a mistake, no doubt, and I have to admit it.
“In a moment of supreme excitement, with no malicious intent or ill intent, what happened happened in a very spontaneous way, I repeat, with no ill intent on either side…it has caused controversy in some areas, and in some people it seems so.” “I was upset and so I have to apologize… I have to learn from it.”
The news comes on the same day that Mail Sport reported that Spain coach Jorge Vilda appeared to have grabbed the chest of a female staff member during the World Cup finals celebrations.
Video footage taken seconds after Olga Carmona’s 29th-minute goal against the Lionesses shows the Spanish staff celebrating – and Vilda’s left hand appears to linger on the chest of a female staff member.
There have also been complaints from players about Vilda’s behavior, including accusations that he created a control environment.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Vilda forced the players to keep the doors of their rooms open until midnight so he could make sure they were there before bed.
Vilda’s control was said to be so excessive that he checked their bags when they returned from shopping trips – and all player movements were closely monitored.
In 2022, 15 players wrote to the Spanish Football Federation claiming they would not be available for World Cup selection as long as Vilda stayed in his position, claiming he was “damaging their mental health”.