Spain’s football federation said it would take legal action to defend its president after calls for him to leave his post reached fever pitch on Saturday.
The move comes after Spain’s women’s national team announced that they would not play any more games unless the president of the country’s football federation steps down for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after their victory in the final of the Women’s World Cup.
Luis Rubiales, who was also criticised for grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, has resisted growing pressure from athletes, politicians and protesters to resign.
In a statement, the federation said it would show there have been lies about what happened by Hermoso or people speaking for her. The statement on the Royal Spanish Football Federation website said it would take legal action to defend Rubiales’ honour, but did not say what the action would consist of.
“Where there is rule of law … opinions are counteracted with facts and evidence, and lies are rebutted in court.”
“The RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) and the President will show each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself,” it said.
Link from www.aljazeera.com