The calculated posture of Luis Rubiales: from the ‘montage’ in the hospital to the ‘humble’ communication from a luxury villa

The protagonist of the biggest scandal in Spanish football has spent a few days taking refuge in a luxury villa on the outskirts of Motril waiting for the storm to pass and calculating his steps to whiten his maligned image. The first was a photograph from the hospital where his mother was admitted after the hunger strike and in which she appeared smiling along with various health workers, implying that she still had the support of her neighbors.

The image in question was a staging calculated by the artist himself. rubiales, who asked said professionals (two of them relatives) to pose with him. Subsequently, he himself shared it through various WhatsApp groups, knowing that the recipients would send it to the press. He killed two birds with one stone: silence those who said that he had been left alone after the scandal and those who accused him of not caring for his mother, entrenched in a church and on hunger strike. Good son, good neighbor.

The last one has arrived this Friday. A press release after the resolution of the TAD, which describes the events that occurred as “serious”. In it, Rubiales asks “forgiveness with humility” and accuses the Government (with his friend Pedro Sánchez at the head) of “public lynching”. He insists: there was no “aggression” and the kiss was “consented by both parties”.

The latest statement, in full

On August 20, I made some obvious mistakes, which I sincerely regret. It is true that for such errors I have asked forgiveness because it was just; and now I do it again with humility. I do it convinced and with the purpose of improving. I have learned that no matter how great the joy and deep the emotion, even when a WORLD CUP is WON, exemplary behavior must be required of sports leaders, and mine was not.

Therefore, I reiterate, once again, my apologies for this to the soccer players, the federation and other soccer establishments in a clear, emphatic and unmitigated manner. Also to the football fans and to all those who may have been offended by my actions. I also gave the corresponding explanations, telling the truth of what happened. It is my only version, the one that I have maintained from the first moment and I continue to defend it and I am not going to modify it. The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm. At no time was there any aggression, indeed, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both. I repeat: with the consent of both parties, both in the affectionate hugs, and in the beak and subsequent farewell full of affectionate mutual gestures, which took place on the Medal delivery platform.

Pertinent evidence, expert opinions, documentation, videos, etc… have been provided and will continue to be provided to prove the reality of what happened. The tests are not opinions, they are clear facts.

From the outset, the RFEF, through its INTEGRITY department, carried out the pertinent procedures. I was called and collaborated so that the facts were clarified. I am the most interested. I will continue collaborating in all areas so that all this is reached until the end. In this sense, I have also resorted to the procedure opened by FIFA to defend my position. And I will continue in all those others, in which I can demonstrate my honor.

I am especially concerned that some of those who should proclaim and help guarantee the separation of powers in our country, insist on taking part and pressing against me, instead of letting justice act with all the guarantees, staying on the sidelines. Throughout this period I have suffered an unprecedented political and media lynching from which I have remained completely on the fringes. Not only nationally but globally.