Disgraced Rubiales ´not worthy´ of representing Spain, says Sevilla´s vice president

The disgraced former president of the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] Luis Rubiales was not worthy of representing his country, according to Sevilla vice president Jose Maria del Nido.

Rubiales was widely condemned for his behaviour as Spain celebrated their victory over England in last month’s Women’s World Cup final, having grabbed forward Jenni Hermoso before kissing her on the lips.

Hermoso repeatedly stated the kiss was not consensual and has since filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales, accusing him of sexual assault.

Though Rubiales initially refused to resign, the pressure eventually told as he announced his departure ahead of an interview with Piers Morgan, which aired last week.

Sevilla became one of the first clubs to demand Rubiales’ resignation on August 25, and Del Nido believes the events have left a stain on the reputation of Spanish football.

Speaking at the Thinking Football Summit, Del Nido told Stats Perform: “Instead of everyone talking about the success of being world champions, being the best in your sport at a global level, it’s a complete failure that we should be talking about events that are totally unacceptable, of a person who should not represent the Spanish Football Federation.

Official Statement: Luis Rubiales

— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 25, 2023

“Instead of paying attention to the damage that the attitude of the president of the federation has done, I would stay with the attitude that the Spanish people have had.

“I think it is true that this hurts the reputation of Spain, but Spain is not Luis Rubiales.

“Spain is everything we have manifested against the behaviour of Rubiales, everything we have done to support Jenni.

“This type of conduct cannot be accepted under any concept, and even less if it is a person who occupies a status or a position of that magnitude.