MADRID – In a dramatic turn of events, former Spanish soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales faced an unexpected protest from his own family during a book presentation on Thursday. As he introduced his memoir detailing his controversial exit following a kiss with a player at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, his uncle launched eggs at him.
While seated on a stage, Rubiales swiftly dodged at least two eggs aimed in his direction. One egg struck a screen behind him, prompting him to confront the audience where the attack originated.
“A man came in, and I later recognized him as my uncle, who has always been troubled,” Rubiales explained to the media. “He threw eggs at me, but initially, I feared he might have been armed, given I couldn’t see what he held.”
Rubiales’s memoir, titled “Matar a Rubiales” (Killing Rubiales), spans 500 pages and chronicles his fall from grace after kissing Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup award ceremony in 2023.
The book’s publisher reveals that Rubiales defends himself as a victim of a “conspiracy involving various influential figures in Spanish public life,” including the government and advocates of feminism.
Rubiales has consistently refuted claims that he kissed Hermoso without consent. Initially, he resisted calls to resign amid public outrage but ultimately stepped down due to mounting pressure from government officials, soccer authorities, female players, and fans alike.
Earlier this year he was found guilty of sexual assault for the unsolicited kiss by a Spanish court.
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