In an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales opened up about the controversial kiss that led to his official resignation.
Luis Rubiales candidly shared his opinion to Piers Morgan on Talk TV which was publicised last night. Rubiales continued to maintain the kiss between him and Jenni Hermoso was “consensual” and went on to suggest that the negative publicity over the incident had been “created by spurious arguments and people”.
It's the kiss that became a political crisis - and the story that's divided the world.
Find out what Luis Rubiales has to say for himself on tonight's Piers Morgan Uncensored at 8pm.@piersmorgan | @LuisRubiales17 | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/XJKRVXBlRf— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) September 12, 2023
Rubiales defended his actions by explaining that the type of celebrations, for "guys and girls" are mutual and that Latin people have a tactile way of expressing their happiness.
The former president - who announced in a statement posted on his unverified X account on Sunday - had faced significant backlash after the incident in question, which also included grabbing his crotch during the celebration while standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP box.
"In Spain, there is an expression [grabbing the crotch] which means "bravo, well done" and so I made the gesture...It was unfortunate, but it wasn't in a negative connotation."
Despite offering a general apology in a video statement the following day, Rubiales refused to resign, leading to a revolt among 81 players, including the entire World Cup-winning squad, who indicated their unavailability for the national team as long as he remained in office.
FIFA subsequently banned Rubiales from all football-related activities for an initial period of 90 days on 26 August. Alongside this, Spain's national team manager, Jorge Vilda, was also dismissed.
"Have you thought about the worst-case scenario, that you might go to prison for a kiss?"
Piers Morgan asks Luis Rubiales how he feels about what might happen if he's convicted of sexual assault and coercion.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/xEE3XH9V3m— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) September 12, 2023
Throughout the interview, Rubiales maintained that the kiss was "mutual" but conceded that it was a "mistake" unbecoming of his role as Spanish FA president. He admitted, "My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100% non-sexual. I do understand that as president, I should have acted in a more solemn, cold, and diplomatic way."
“Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake and I apologised in a sincere manner,” added Rubiales.
“I was very happy, I felt like another player. I have apologised unreservedly, that is not the actions of the president of the association."
