The accusations against former Spanish association president Luis Rubiales (46) continue. There are also allegations of assaults against England internationals during the World Cup final in the summer
Luis Rubiales apparently also intrusively touched and, in one case, kissed English footballers after the women’s World Cup final in August, which the Spaniards won 1:0. This is suggested by the statement of the English association president Debbie Hewitt, which is listed in the now published written justification of the FIFA verdict against Rubiales.
According to Hewitt, Rubiales “embraced and caressed” the face of England international Laura Coombs, which the FA boss found “somewhat strange”. He then “obviously energetically” kissed team-mate Lucy Bronze.
Photos show him taking Bronze in both arms, his mouth on her ear.
Mistaken identity of Greenwood and Coombs?
Rubiales, who resigned as association president at the beginning of September, defended himself against Hewitt’s accusations via a statement from his legal defense lawyers. The latter had “interpreted a gesture of encouragement to mean that the defendant was a disgusting person”. This interpretation was “disgusting”. The FA president had also “deliberately or negligently” omitted some facts.
For example, Rubiales emphasized that Bronze “not only plays in Spain, but also won the Spanish Super Cup a few months earlier”. Coombs, on the other hand, was “injured in the final”, had stitches and had to wear a bandage on his head. However, Coombs did not play in the final, Rubiales apparently mistook her for Alex Greenwood.
FIFA banned Rubiales for three years after the negotiations – and later the Spanish Court of Justice did the same. This was triggered by his behavior towards the Spaniards: Rubiales had kissed national player Jennifer “Jenni” Hermoso on the mouth after the final victory against England in Sydney.
The case caused a storm of indignation worldwide. According to FIFA, Rubiales’ behavior violated Article 13 of the disciplinary regulations
