Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales has been sensationally captured on camera clutching his crotch in wild scenes alongside Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Princess Infanta Sofía.
Rubiales has already come under fire for his unwanted kiss on the mouth with Jenni Hermoso after the 1-0 win over England in the World Cup final.
And now scathing images of Rubiales’ scandalous celebration in the stands of Sydney Stadium Australia on August 20 are circulating on Twitter.
Football fans were in disbelief at the vision, with many on social media voicing the opinion that Rubiales should step down.
“That ugly gesture and kissing one of the players on the lips requires his immediate resignation,” a supporter wrote on Twitter.
Spain’s football boss Luis Rubiales has been caught on camera clutching his crotch in wild scenes at the World Cup final (pictured) – with the Spanish queen and her daughter (pictured left in red top with striped sleeves) just meters away on the bleachers
Rubiales (pictured right, with the Queen of Spain) is already under fire after his unwanted kiss on the mouth with Jenni Hermoso after the 1-0 win over England
Another said: “Spanish football is really over if this creep is the face of it.”
In addition, footage shows Rubiales lifting another player – Athenea del Castillo – over his shoulder not long after full-time.
As it stands, Rubiales 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 apologized, but Hermoso declined the chance to appear in his apology video, despite pleading, “My position is on the line, do it for my daughters.”
Rubiales also allegedly harassed and humiliated a female colleague, who claimed he asked her about the color of her underwear and about wearing “knee pads” in meetings when they worked together.
Attacking midfielder Hermoso, who plays for CF Pachuca, admitted she “didn’t like it” when Rubiales grabbed her and held her in a tight hug before kissing her on the lips on the celebratory stage.
Rubiales’ behavior was described by USWNT midfielder Megan Rapinoe as a “signal of a deep level of misogyny and sexism,” who also insisted that his kiss was a form of “physical assault.”
Luis Rubiales is at the center of the World Cup scandal after he kissed Spanish women’s star Jennifer Hermoso (pictured) on the mouth without her consent after they won the World Cup
Rubiales also enraged many by carrying Athenea del Castillo on his shoulders after the final
Spanish football chief Miguel Ángel Galán has filed a complaint with the Madrid Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleging that Rubiales’ actions constitute sexual assault.
Galan said: “I would like to file a complaint against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, for committing an alleged crime of assault against Jennifer Hermoso of the Spanish women’s football team.
“This was an intolerable act of sexist behavior within our sport that could constitute an alleged felony of assault. I therefore request that a complaint be filed.’
Galan had already lodged a written complaint with the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) and the Spanish FA (RFEF), with his latest actions following the criminal route.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also summoned Rubiales and demanded that he explain the public kiss.
Rubiales said in his apology, “There is also something I regret and it is about something that happened between a female player and myself, who have as great a relationship as I have with other female players. I must have made a mistake and I must admit it.
“In a moment of maximum excitement, without any ill intent or bad faith, what happened happened in a very spontaneous way, I repeat, without bad faith on either side… it has caused controversy in some industries and some people seem to to have done. I’m upset and that’s why I have to apologize … I have to learn from this.’
The news comes on the same day that Mail Sport reported that Spain coach Jorge Vilda appeared to grab the breast of a female member of staff during the celebrations for the World Cup final.
Video footage taken seconds after Olga Carmona’s 29th-minute goal against the Lionesses shows Spain’s staff celebrating – and Vilda’s left hand appears to rest on the chest of a female member of staff.
There have also been complaints about Vilda’s behavior from the players, amid accusations that he created a controlling environment.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Vilda forced players to keep their room doors open until midnight so he could make sure they were there before going to sleep.
It was said that Vilda’s scrutiny was so excessive that he checked their bags when they returned from shopping – and all player movements were subject to strict surveillance.
In 2022, 15 players wrote to the Spanish Football Federation claiming they would not be available for World Cup selection while Vilda remained in his position, claiming he was ‘damaging their mental health’.