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Luis Rubiales refuses to step down as Spanish football federation president

Luis Rubiales refuses to resign as Spanish football federation president

Luis Rubiales has refused to step down as president of the Spanish football federation following his behaviour at the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.

Rubiales, 46, kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain's 1-0 victory over England.

He had earlier grabbed his crotch as he celebrated at the final whistle.

"I will not resign, I will not resign," he told an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation. "A social assassination is taking place."

Rubiales apologised for the kiss on Monday before Fifa, world football's governing body, opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday.

On Friday he apologised for grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area in Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.

Widespread reports in Spain suggested Rubiales would announce his resignation on Friday - but instead he vowed to "fight until the end".

"I'm ready to be vilified to defend my ideals," he added. "I don't deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.

"I want to apologise without reservation for everything that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body that you have already seen.

"Of course I have to apologise, to the Queen, and to everyone who has felt offended. I have been in countless boxes and I have never behaved like that."

Kiss was 'mutual and consensual'

Luis Rubiales: Spanish federation president kisses Hermoso during ceremony

Rubiales - who was elected to his role in May 2018 - was repeatedly applauded as he addressed the assembly, which the Spanish football federation (RFEF) called "as a matter of urgency".

He defended his actions by saying he was trying to console Hermoso after she had a late penalty saved by Mary Earps.

"Jenni was the one who lifted me up," he said. "I told her to 'forget about the penalty' and I said to her 'a little peck">