Spanish football federation sorry for ‘enormous damage’ caused by Rubiales

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has apologised for the “enormous damage” caused by the actions of its suspended president, Luis Rubiales. The 46-year-old has been provisionally barred from all football activity for an initial 90 days by Fifa while the game’s global governing body investigates his conduct at last month’s Women’s World Cup final in Sydney.

Rubiales kissed the Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation, something Hermoso has said she did not consent to. However, Rubiales has refused to resign over the matter.

Now, the interim president of the RFEF, Pedro Rocha, has written a letter distancing the organisation from Rubiales’ actions, saying he is “ashamed” by them.

“The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and the values of football and sport as a whole have been enormous,” Rocha’s letter said. “Mr Rubiales’ actions do not represent the values defended by the Spanish federation, nor the values of Spanish society as a whole. His actions must be attributed solely and exclusively to him, since he is the one solely responsible for those actions before society, before the sports governing bodies and, if applicable, before justice.

“To be clear, this position was that of Mr Rubiales, not that of the RFEF. We feel especially sorry and ashamed for the pain and additional distress this has caused.”

The RFEF also said it would assist Fifa with disciplinary action against Rubiales. “The RFEF is providing all the documentary and administrative support that is required from both disciplinary bodies to be able to have a definitive resolution as soon as possible that allows the damage caused to be compensated.”

The letter also confirmed that previous statements by the RFEF that were supportive of Rubiales have been removed from its website.

More details to follow …