In statements made tonight on El Partidazo de la Cope, Juan Rubiales, the uncle of Luis Rubiales and former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), indicated that his nephew remains temporarily removed from the federation presidency. He asserted that Luis Rubiales does not yet grasp the idea that his actions have been masculine overtones, referring to the kiss incident involving Jenni Hermoso at the awards ceremony following the women’s World Cup final in Sydney. The comments came as part of a broader critique of leadership style and behavioral expectations within the federation during a period of intense scrutiny over the federation’s leadership and conduct.
Juan Rubiales described his nephew as viewing women through a lens of objectification. He mentioned that Hermoso was accompanied by María José Rienda and Irene Lozano during her time with the federation, suggesting that these relationships influenced perceptions of power and authority within the organization. Rubiales also described tense moments when he and others in the leadership room witnessed aggressive behavior, stating that he and Rienda clashed over table-pounding while Lozano later removed Rubiales from his office amid escalating tensions. These anecdotes were shared to illustrate a pattern of conduct that Juan Rubiales characterized as macho and confrontational.
In interviews with El Mundo, Juan Rubiales characterized his nephew as consistently arrogant with a distinct macho demeanor, likening aspects of his style to a certain theatrical bravado. He added that Rubiales admired a style reminiscent of film characters and public figures known for assertive, dominant postures. He also told El Confidencial that his nephew holds a self-perception aligned with historic figures who have projected a strong, public persona, describing it as an ingrained attitude that shapes decisions and public appearances.
Regarding a party held in Salobreña, which became one of the most controversial episodes of Rubiales’s tenure, Juan Rubiales recounted that when he encountered young women present at the event, he felt uncomfortable and chose not to participate. He recalled being questioned by others about his reluctance and recounted that even Luis Rubiales briefly intervened, questioning his uncle’s stance on the matter. These recollections were shared to convey a climate within the federation during which personal and professional boundaries were tested and the behavior of senior figures drew sharp public attention.
Across three separate interviews given in his own time, which Juan Rubiales indicated he would not extend further, the former general secretary of the RFEF acknowledged that decisions surrounding the Spanish Super Cup were influenced by international venues. He asserted that the trophy’s relocation to Saudi Arabia occurred after a prior offer from Qatar was rejected. He cited involvement by a business intermediary as a factor in the final outcome, framing the move as part of a larger discussion about sponsorship, location, and the economic drivers behind major federation events. The discussion reflected ongoing debates about governance, international partnerships, and the expectations placed on federation leadership in the modern era, particularly with regard to transparency and accountability.