‘I will not resign!’ says defiant Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales following week of fierce criticism for unwanted kiss on Spain star

Rubiales spoke at an RFEF Extraordinary General Assembly on Friday, saying he will “fight to the end” and refused to resign in a defiant speech, during which he spoke of “unjust” campaigns and “fake feminism.”

Rubiales was filmed forcibly kissing Spain star Jennifer Hermoso – who had helped La Roja win its first Women’s World Cup title on Sunday in Sydney – on the lips after she collected her winners’ medal, an act which the 33-year-old World Cup winner later said she “didn’t like” and “didn’t expect.”

On Monday, Rubiales admitted he had “made a mistake,” but criticism continued to pour in throughout the week from the soccer world and Spanish politicians, including Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who said the apology for what he called an “unacceptable gesture” was “not enough.”

More to follow…