Spanish FA president faces new claims he ‘took Mexican woman on six-day work-funded New York holiday’ and ‘asked colleague about the colour of her underwear’ after refusing to resign over kiss-gate World Cup scandal

Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has been rocked by damaging new claims.

Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup ‘kiss-gate’ scandal after he kissed Spanish women’s player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth without permission after Spain beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday.

He has refused to resign despite being hit by a sexual assault investigation after a football chief filed a criminal complaint over his actions towards Hermoso. He eventually apologised, but Hermoso declined the chance to appear in his apology video, despite begging, “My position is on the line, do it for my daughters”.

And as reported by the Spanish outlet El confidentialRubiales is now facing allegations that he took a Mexican woman on a six-day work-funded vacation to New York.

He also allegedly harassed and humiliated a female colleague, who claimed that he had asked her about the color of her underwear and about wearing “knee pads” during meetings if they worked together.

Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup ‘kiss-gate’ scandal after he kissed Spanish women’s player Jennifer Hermoso (center) on the mouth without permission after they won the World Cup

Former colleague Tamara Ramos Cruz accused him of workplace harassment, while Rubiales was also accused of taking a Mexican woman on a six-day work-funded vacation to New York

Judge Delia Rodrigo and the prosecution have summoned Roman Ignacio Rodriguez Fernandez to provide details of the dates and evidence of the trip to New York.

Rodriguez Fernandez was the largest shareholder in the advertising, media and events company DDP SL, which was in regular contact with the Spanish Football Federation, still led by Rubiales.

El Confidencial reports that they have heard dozens of audio messages showing that a Mexican woman, a painter, with whom Rubiales had close relations, had been hired at DDP SL, having also worked at the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) when Rubiales was president . They also confirm that the couple has been touring Manhattan, NY together.

They also allege that he took the trip to New York via Viajes El Corte Ingles and billed the Spanish Football Federation for the cost of the flights, hotel and rental car, pretending it was a work-related trip – an accusation that has led to a imprisonment could result. of up to three years, if proven.

It is added that he advised his inner circle what to say when asked about his trip, saying, “For now, the story is that we are meeting with the MLS and later also the UN to talk to them.” to eat. Okay? So MLS first, tomorrow about nine o’clock, so we go to eight o’clock, something like that. Then we’ll see each other tomorrow. And then we have to eat with the UN people.’

According to El Confidencial sources, none of these meetings actually took place. Executives of Relevent, which hosts sporting events in New York, asked Rubiales to meet and he reportedly arranged to meet at a restaurant in Manhattan, but backed out at the last minute.

The judicial investigation continues.

Rubiales was also accused of ongoing workplace harassment on Wednesday by former colleague Tamara Ramos Cruz, who said he asked her what color underwear she wore in front of Spanish men’s players Gerard Pique, Iker Casillas and Sergio Busquets.

Rubiales’ controversial actions, for which he later apologized, have been widely criticized

Ramos Cruz said in a TV interview, “I’ve had to deal with humiliations, beatings and words I can’t repeat from Rubiales, it’s been outrageous for a long time.

“In front of everyone, he said to me, ‘You’ve come to put on your kneepads.’ These are words no one deserves, I was a professional just trying to do my job.

He also said, “I was wondering what color underwear are you wearing today?”. As women, there are not many of us in the world of football. With the power he still had today, it was very hard to face him.”

The alleged events took place a decade ago and when asked why she had brought up the issues now, she said, “Now they’re going to believe me” in the context of his non-consensual kiss with Hermoso.

She added, “I am not at all surprised (that he kissed Hermoso) because I have known him for many years and I have suffered under him. What surprised me is that he did it in public.’

Attacking midfielder Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca, admitted that she “didn’t like it” when Rubiales grabbed her and held her in a tight hug before kissing her on the lips on the post-match celebratory stage, which he later apologized for. reluctantly apologized. despite initially defending his behavior.

He also grabbed his crotch in what was described by American legend Megan Rapinoe as a “signal of a deep level of misogyny and sexism,” who insisted his kiss was “physical assault.”

Spanish football chief Miguel Ángel Galán has now filed a complaint with the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, claiming that Rubiales’ actions constitute sexual assault.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized Rubiales and demanded that he explain the kiss. Mail sportsIan Herbert described Rubiales as “reptile-like” and “creepy,” while it emerged that Rubiales allegedly begged Hermoso to record an apology video with him.

The news comes on the same day Mail sports reported that Spain coach Jorge Vilda appeared to grab the breast of a female staff member during the celebration of the World Cup final.

Mail Sport has contacted the Spanish Football Federation for comment.