Rubiales’ mother released from hospital, ends hunger strike
Motril, Spain, Aug 31 (EFE).- The mother of Luis Rubiales, the under-fire president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has been discharged from hospital after ending her hunger strike, the parish priest of the church of the Divina Pastoral said early Thursday.
Ángeles Béjar had locked herself in the church in Rubiales’ hometown of Motril and began a hunger strike on Monday in protest at what she called the “inhumane” treatment of her son, who she said was the victim of a “bloodthirsty hunt” which “he does not deserve.”
She was transferred to hospital on Wednesday evening with swelling in her feet and suffering from exhaustion, the parish priest, Father Antonio, said. She was released a few hours later.
Rubiales, who has been suspended from all soccer-related activities by Fifa for 90 days, has been facing mounting criticism after he kissed forward Jennifer Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup final win against England on Aug. 20.
Despite calls from the Spanish government for him to be removed, Rubiales refused to step down at an RFEF general assembly last week, insisting the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual and consensual.”
Rubiales added that he was the target of “false feminism” seeking his “social assassination”.
Hermoso responded to Rubiales’ refusal to quit via the soccer players’ union Futpro saying she did not consent to the kiss and that the incident had left her feeling “vulnerable and the victim of an aggression.”
The striker went on to describe the kiss as “an impulsive, sexist, out-of-place act without any kind of consent on my part.”
The RFEF then threatened to sue Hermoso, as well as the 81 female players who have refused to play for the Spanish national team until Rubiales is removed from his position.
Rubiales has been suspended by world governing body Fifa, which has opened disciplinary proceedings against him. EFE
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