EXCLUSIVE: Luis Rubiales’s family hit back at claims he is sexist and say he is only guilty of ‘excessive euphoria’ as they reveal images ‘that show he is a loving father who respects women’

The family of beleaguered Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales has hit back at claims he is a sexist – insisting he is a loving man who respects women and is only guilty of “excessive euphoria”.

They spoke out after an impressive interview with Rubiales’ uncle Juan, who claimed football chief Luis is “arrogant” and “obsessed with luxury and money” after his infamous kiss on the lips of World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso.

The family also gave MailOnline new photos of Luis – who has been suspended by FIFA over the outcry – which they say shows the real man, who is caring and respectful.

The relative told us, “The only thing he was guilty of was excessive euphoria, nothing else. There was no assault and for Jenni and everyone else to say he assaulted her is ridiculous, it couldn’t be further from the truth.’

The source insists there is a “witch hunt” going on against him that is unfair – and that he is “nothing like” the person his uncle described.

Rubiales and relatives. The family spoke out after an impressive interview with Rubiales’ uncle Juan, who claimed football chief Luis is “arrogant” and “obsessed with luxury and money.”

The family has closed ranks to defend him against mounting pressure to quit his job.

Rubiales’ mother, Angeles Bejar, 72, was so determined to fight for him that she even locked herself in a church in their hometown of Motril and went on a three-day hunger strike before being taken to hospital.

Former hairdresser Angeles had said she planned to stay at Divina Pastora church “indefinitely, day and night” because of her son’s “inhuman and bloodthirsty treatment.”

Now sacked, Rubiales, 46, has asked his family to keep quiet in a bid to dampen the firestorm that has surrounded him since the ‘Kissgate’ scandal broke last month at the end of the Women’s World Cup final against England in Sydney. .

But one family member — who declined to be named — handed MailOnline photos from the family album showing Rubiales participating in parties and celebrations, playing the role of a loving father, uncle and cousin.

The family source said, “This all came out of nowhere and is so unfair to Luis. Everyone thinks he’s a sexist misogynist, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“He has three daughters, they are his pride and joy, so he knows how to respect women.

“Look at the pictures, he’s a loving man, he adores his family and he respects women. Spain just won the World Cup final. I think a little celebration is in order, don’t you?

Rubiales in a restaurant. A family member said: ‘The only thing he was guilty of is excessive euphoria, nothing else, there was no assault and for Jenni and everyone else to say he assaulted her is ridiculous, it couldn’t be further from the truth’

Rubiales in a group photo. The family says the images show the real man, who is caring and respectful

“Jenni didn’t say anything about an assault until she was even seen on the bus footage a few days later, laughing and joking, and now she’s saying it was an assault and she’s offended.

Please, what planet are we on? Where does this nonsense come from. He’s being lynched on a global scale and that’s just not fair.

“All we want is for Jenni to tell the truth, why is she only now complaining? Okay, fine, maybe it’s wrong, but does he deserve all this? He is crucified for just a little kiss.

‘He’s a very affectionate man. When he visits his family, he always gives us kisses because he is a very expressive man.

“It’s just a lynch mob of feminists and politicians looking to make a storm out of nothing. If she felt she was being attacked, she certainly didn’t seem to show it.’

Rubiales, who branded his critics “idiots and stupid people” at a press conference last Friday, faced calls from regional FA chiefs to resign but has so far refused, though a verdict is expected from the sports tribunal today of the country about its future.