Luis Rubiales has now stepped down as president of the Spanish Football Federation, but only after watching his mother hospitalised following a hunger strike inside a church
Luis Rubiales has spoken about his mother’s hunger strike
Disgraced Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has opened up about his mother’s decision to go on hunger strike.
Rubiales has finally resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after kissing star player Jenni Hermoso following the Women’s World Cup final. But his decision, announced in an interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV, only came following weeks of fierce backlash against his actions.
The 46-year-old has dragged his heels amid a torrent of media interest in the long-running saga, which included his mother going on hunger strike inside a church in Spain. Angeles Bejar took refuge inside the church and vowed not to leave or eat until “justice” was done for her son following a “inhuman and bloody hunt”.
After two days Bejar was admitted to hospital, with a local priest saying she had struggled with the heat and had become swollen, tired and anxious. She was discharged a day later having responded well to treatment, but Rubiales has admitted he was worried about her health.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Rubiales said: “I was very scared for her. At a certain point her ankle had completely swelled up. She suffers from hypertension.”
While on her hunger strike, Rubiales’ mother had told a Spanish TV station: “I am willing to die for justice because my son is a decent person and it is not fair what they’re doing.”
She also told MailOnline: “My son is very worried and has asked me not to continue, to stop, but I will be here until I drop and my body can continue. He is not here. He is away but he has told me to stop but I’ve said I will not. I will carry on.”
Angeles Bejar went on hunger strike in a church (
Image:
Alba Feixas/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Rubiales said his decision to step down from the RFEF had been made partly due to the pressure on his family. “I’m very lucky. I’ve got three beautiful, mature, yes, but sensitive daughters,” he said.
“I think they are suffering more for me, for my parents, than for themselves. They have friends. Sometimes they call me to give me strength.
He added: “I have got three daughters. I have seen the reaction before, during and after. Again, I am going to say that this was all down to a very happy moment, a celebration, a euphoric moment.
“There was no harm, no sexual content, no aggression, nothing like that. As president, once again, I will say …The significance of the kiss to Jenni would have been exactly the same as a kiss to one of my daughters. Between friends and family, that’s very, very common.”
