Shamed Spanish FA kiss-gate chief Luis Rubiales breaks his silence to claim he is ‘advancing feminism’ and says he is the victim of a ‘lynching’ as he fights Jenni Hermoso’s World Cup final claims

Spain’s FA president Luis Rubiales has claimed he is the “victim of a political and media lynching” that actually “promotes feminism” as he continues to fight attempts to have him suspended.

Rubiales sparked outrage after the Women’s World Cup final when he kissed Hermoso on the mouth as she stepped forward to collect her medal after Spain’s 1-0 win.

Footage also emerged showing Rubiales grabbing his crotch while standing next to Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Infanta Sofia – behavior for which he later apologized.

FIFA has already imposed a 90-day ban on Rubiales and Mail Sport revealed that the governing body is pushing for a 15-year ban on all football.

In Spain, the Sports Administrative Tribunal (TAD) has opened a case against the 46-year-old, but it concerns ‘serious’ rather than ‘very serious’ misconduct.

Rubiales sparked outrage by kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup win in Australia

Spain’s acting Minister of Sports and Culture, Miquel Iceta, has called on the country’s Administrative Sports Tribunal to suspend the 46-year-old.

This means the National Sports Council (CSD) cannot suspend Rubiales while the investigation is ongoing, but Acting Sports and Culture Minister Miquel Iceta called on the tribunal on Friday to suspend the president for ‘abuse of his authority’ and damaging his image of sports.

Within minutes of Iceta’s claims, Rubiales hit back with an explosive statement that read, “I am the victim of an unprecedented political and media lynching.

“I was deliberately sidelined. But I have presented all relevant images showing the facts. That evidence will override opinions and clear my name.”

He also claimed that he was “advancing the feminist cause” and that his cause would be important to “real victims of aggression.”

Rubiales was initially supported by key members within the RFEF, with Spanish manager Luis De La Fuente applauding when the president announced he would not resign.

However, the coach has since withdrawn his support and apologized unconditionally.

As reported by Mark, he said: ‘What I did is not justifiable. What I’m trying to expose is the context. I was overwhelmed, I didn’t know how to handle it and I had no control over my emotions.

“When you think later and see yourself on cameras… I don’t recognize myself. Inside the forest you only see branches and when you separate yourself from the forest you see the true situation.’

“Almost all of the RFEF employees thought we were going to see a president resigned, and we found something completely different. It was not easy to digest, it was a situation that overwhelmed me.’

In addition, De La Fuente asked for forgiveness and stressed that he would not commit such an act again.

He said: “I didn’t feel betrayed by Luis Rubiales, but I came in thinking it was going to be a layoff meeting and we were shocked to see that it wasn’t.”

Spain manager Luis De La Fuente (pictured) has apologized for supporting Luis Rubiales

De La Fuente Rubiales was seen applauding after the latter declared he would not resign but has now criticized the president’s actions

Rubiales has repeatedly said that the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso said there was no consent

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

“I am on the side of equality and respect. We all need to improve on equality and I’m the first.’

Rubiales has repeatedly said that the kiss was consensual, but Hermoso said there was no consent.

Reuters reports that prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into a possible sexual assault because of the kiss.