Spain Men’s Coach Apologises For Supporting Luis Rubiales

Luis De la Fuente, the men’s team coach for Spain, has expressed regret for backing Luis Rubiales.

RFEF president Rubiales said in a speech that he wouldn’t step down after kissing Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.

Despite being seen cheering Rubiales, De la Fuente later criticized him. Additionally, he called his own acts “unjustifiable.”

After Spain’s 1-0 victory in the Women’s World Cup final, Rubiales caused controversy by kissing Hermoso on the lips as she stood up to accept her medal.

Online videos have emerged showing Rubiales grasping his crotch while in close proximity to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia. Since then, he has expressed regret for his actions.

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De la Fuente stated that he believed that Rubiales would tender his resignation during the meeting.

As reported by Marca, De la Fuente said: “What I did is unjustifiable. What I’m trying to expose is the context. I was overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to live up to it and I couldn’t control my emotions. When you later reflect and see yourself on cameras… I don’t recognize myself. Inside the forest one sees nothing but branches and when one separates from the forest one sees the true situation.

“Almost all of us RFEF workers went thinking that we were going to see the dismissal of a president and we found something completely different. It was not easy to digest, it was a situation that overwhelmed me.”

De la Fuente also emphasised that he would not repeat the offence and pleaded for forgiveness.

He said: “I have not felt betrayed by Luis Rubiales, but I arrived thinking that it was going to be a resignation meeting and we were shocked when we saw that it was not like that.

“I would like to be questioned about the results, it is a scenario that I bullfight with calmness. Not in this scenario, which does generate concern and tension in me.

“I don’t have to resign, I have to ask for forgiveness. I made a mistake, an inexcusable human error. If I could go back I wouldn’t commit that act again.

“I am on the side of equality and respect. We all have to improve in terms of equality and I am the first.