For gossiping about three first division clubs in leaked Whatsapp messages, RFEF president Luis Rubiales has come under fire. The clubs concerned are demanding an apology.
The Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal clubs have issued a joint statement calling on Rubiales to publicly apologise “to the clubs and their fans” after it emerged private conversations in which he explains which three clubs he dislikes the most. In addition, they demand a correction.
El Confidencial had previously published screenshots of Rubiales’ Whatsapp messages, which he apparently sent to his father. According to the Spanish online newspaper, the messages were written during Real Madrid’s match against Sevilla FC on 18 January 2020.
The first message from the RFEF president is: “Let’s see if we can get rid of this ‘palangana’ (pet name for Sevilla FC). They are the second worst team of all.” The answer was: “Yes, and Valencia and Sevilla for me”. Rubiales Junior wrote back: “For me, in this order: Villarreal, Sevilla and Valencia. “
Clubs speak of “gross disrespect “
This Tuesday, all three clubs issued identical statements: “Sevilla FC, Valencia FC and Villarreal FC jointly condemn the gross disrespect shown by the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, in talks published by El Confidencial on Tuesday 11 October,” it reads. “The conversations in which he speaks with such contempt, hostility and arrogance towards the three clubs are unacceptable for a person who holds such a responsible position and who has to look after the interests of all the clubs in Spanish football equally.”
Furthermore, they were “extremely concerned” about the possible consequences that Rubiales’ behaviour could have for the clubs, “as his behaviour is not conducive to transparency within the competition”.
