Luis Rubiales’ uncle has added to the scathing criticism of the Spanish football boss, saying even family members were against him and instead sided with Jenni Hermoso in the ‘Kissgate’ scandal.
Juan Rubiales López described his nephew as “a man obsessed with power, luxury, money and even women” in an explosive 4,700-word interview with Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.
Juan described his nephew as a “boy” and called for “generosity” amid the global backlash against his actions. He added: “I think he needs a social re-education program and re-education in his relationship with women.”
He continued that for the Rubiales family, “the idea of dignity” means “defending Jenni, understanding her and condemning the embarrassing behavior of this president.”
Former journalist Juan, who took over a director’s role at the RFEF from his nephew, suggested that the two now had a strained relationship after Rubiales’ parents “cut everyone off” when their son fired him from the job.
Rubiales was initially banned for 90 days by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for his behavior after the Women’s World Cup final, when he kissed Hermoso on the lips
Former journalist Juan Rubiales López, who took over a director’s role at the RFEF from his nephew, suggested that the two now had a strained relationship
Luis Rubiales’ mother Angeles Bejar has revealed that he asked her to end her hunger strike
His inflammatory comments came after Rubiales’ mother was hospitalized on the third day of her hunger strike to protest what she called “inhumane” treatment of her son.
Her admission came just 24 hours after she defiantly declared she would continue to strike “until she drops” at the 17th-century church in Motril, near Malaga.
The 72-year-old said she was prepared to die to get justice for her son and called on Hermoso to “tell the truth” about the kiss that was said to spell the end of her son’s career.
Addressing the player from inside the church on Tuesday, she said: “I just want the truth to be told.”
“She knows that my son is very honest. If she tells the truth everything will be made right.’
Rubiales has been banned for 90 days by FIFA and Spain wants to oust him, but he defiantly refuses to quit.
Juan, Luis’ father’s brother, who has since remarried, said he had “respect” for his nephew’s mother.
He said she was “suffering” from criticism of her son, but heightened his own criticism of Rubiales.
Meanwhile, Bejar’s family stood by her throughout the protest and also expressed their support for Rubiales, repeatedly calling on Hermoso to “tell the truth.”
Hermoso last week denied Rubiales’ claim that the post-match kiss was arranged during a brief exchange between the two.
Rubiales’ relatives watched him at a press conference. Pictured: His father and stepmother
She said in a statement: “I felt vulnerable and the victim of an impulsive, sexist, misplaced act without my consent.”
“I would like to make it clear that the conversation to which Mr. Luis Rubiales refers in his speech never took place and, above all, that his kiss was ever consensual.” I would like to emphasize, as before, that I did not like this incident .’
Rubiales has since defended himself, sending FIFA a copy of newly released footage showing the women’s soccer team celebrating and joking about his infamous kiss.
The clip was uploaded to X, formerly Twitter, by journalist Alvise Perez and features Jenni Hermoso laughing at a meme of her being kissed by Rubiales.
Speaking exclusively to Web, Rubiales’ cousin Demelza confirmed that he had sent the new footage to officials to defend his case.
She said, “Yes, this video has been sent, and he will send more things.” There are many other things. There are conversations.
Hermoso appears to be showing a meme on her phone comparing Rubiales’ kiss to former Spain international Iker Casillas’ kiss with reporter Sara Carbonero
“We want the conversations to come to light, so they will.” Everything will come out. He will put an end to it all.
“Jenni wasn’t attacked.” She doesn’t act like she was attacked. Why does she say these things and then you see her laughing and joking on the bus?
She added: “I haven’t had a chance to speak to Angeles yet and I know Luis will be worried about her. “She is an older woman and should not be put in this position. We just want her to come home.
“When the news about Jenni and Luis broke on TV, we initially thought it was a joke. Then we saw that things were getting serious and worried about what would happen.
“We just want her to tell the truth.”
Meanwhile, another of Rubiales’ cousins, Vanesa Ruiz Bejar, said outside the church this week: “There is a harassment campaign going on that is very unfair.”
Vanesa Ruiz Bejar speaks to the media in front of the church in Motril on Monday
The church where Angeles Bejar went on hunger strike is in Motril, the Rubiales family’s hometown, east of Malaga and south of Granada on Spain’s southern coast
“Lui’s” mother, a very religious person, sought refuge in God and began a hunger strike.
“She doesn’t want to leave the church.” We all suffer a lot from what happened to Luis, which doesn’t seem fair at all to us.
“He’s already been convicted without a trial.” It’s not normal. We will not be left alone. The facts speak for them, there are videos, there are audio recordings.”
In a direct message to Hermoso, she added: “Jenni, tell the truth.”
“Why did she change her version three times? We suffered a lot, we had to leave our homes because of the harassment we are subjected to.
“We don’t want to be left alone for justice to be served, and we want this woman to tell the truth.” Jenni, tell the truth!
She continued that Angeles Bejar, Luis’ mother, was in a very distressed state, adding, “She is an elderly lady whose health is very fragile and who is suffering a lot.”
Rubiales sparked further outrage after footage emerged of him grabbing his crotch while celebrating Spain’s victory near Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter
“She cries constantly, cannot sleep and does not eat.”
“If you spend five minutes with Luis, you know he’s a really good person with a big heart.’ He’s a very noble person.’
Rubiales sparked outrage after he kissed Hermoso on the mouth as she accepted her medal following Spain’s 1-0 win.
Footage also emerged showing Rubiales grabbing his crotch while standing near Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia – behavior for which he apologized.
In a strange speech at an RFEF meeting on Friday, Rubiales refused to quit and called out “fake feminists.”
Hermoso has since been threatened with legal action by the Spanish Football Federation after she said she did not consent to the kiss and disputed Rubiales’ version of events.
Rubiales claimed that Hermoso “picked me up” during the celebrations and agreed to a “little kiss.”
“The kiss was the same one I could give to one of my daughters,” Rubiales added.
FIFA temporarily suspended him “from all football-related activities at national and international level” and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old.
81 Spanish players – including all 23 who took part in the Women’s World Cup – have announced they will not represent their country until Rubiales is removed from his position.