BBC News blunder as they show clips of their own World Cup pundit Pablo Zabaleta in reports on shamed Spain FA ‘kiss-gate’ president Luis Rubiales in mix-up between bald ex-footballers

The BBC has been embroiled in an embarrassing blunder after using footage of former Premier League star Pablo Zabaleta in a segment about Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA (RFEF).

Rubiales was suspended from all football activities for 90 days by FIFA’s disciplinary committee on Saturday for forcibly kissing Jennifer Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.

BBC reporter Lewis Vaughan Jones introduced a news bulletin to break the news that the Spanish Football Federation had called an emergency meeting to discuss the scandal that engulfed the president on Monday.

But while the clip featured footage of Rubiales kissing Hermoso as players received their World Cup winners’ medals, it quickly switched to a clip of Zabaleta walking alongside a colleague.

The former Manchester City and West Ham star looks similar to Rubiales, but the footage erroneously shown by the BBC was taken during the 2022 World Cup draw.

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The FIFA and Qatar logos are both clearly visible on the wall that Zabaleta walks past in the clip.

On social media, the mistake was noticed by eagle-eyed viewers, prompting an apology from the BBC.

‘Due to a production error, we showed the wrong image in an earlier broadcast. This has now been rectified,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

Rubiales’ kiss has sparked widespread backlash, with members of Spain’s men’s and women’s national teams last week calling for him to resign.

Hermoso said she “didn’t consent” to the kiss, saying, “I want to make it clear that at no point did I consent to the kiss.” I will not tolerate my word being questioned, let alone words made up that I did not say.”

Mail Sport reported on Monday that prosecutors have opened a preliminary sexual abuse investigation against Spain’s FA president.

It comes after the RFEF launched its own internal investigation into Rubiales’ conduct during the Women’s World Cup final after the sexual assault protocol came into effect.

And as Mail Sport reported on Tuesday: FIFA wants Rubiales banned from playing football for 15 years.

Spain’s FA chiefs asked Rubiales to resign with immediate effect, saying his “unacceptable” behavior had “seriously damaged the image of Spanish football”.

The reversal followed a threat from FIFA to ban Spain’s national teams and elite clubs from international competition if the Spanish FA refused to accept Rubiales’ punishment.

A statement from the Spanish Football Federation (the RFEF) read on Monday: “Once the meeting of the Commission of Presidents of Regional and Territorial Federations of the RFEF has concluded, the following agreements will be unanimously announced to the football world and society:

“Following the latest events and unacceptable behavior that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the Presidents request Mr Luis Rubiales to immediately tender his resignation as President of the RFEF.

“We warmly congratulate the women’s football team on their victory at the World Cup. We appreciate the significance and legacy of success for Spanish sport.

“We express our admiration and gratitude to an unrepeatable group of players and we congratulate everyone who has built the growth of women’s football with determination over the years.”