Beleaguered president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, has had his mother take a unique form of protest against his treatment.
As confirmed by Rubiales’ cousin, Ángeles Béjar has entered the church of the Divine Shepherdess in Motril, Andalusia, where she locked herself in and declared a hunger strike.
This act comes as a response to the perceived mistreatment of her son. As reported by EFE, the incident unfolded on Monday.
She said her protest would continue until the “inhuman, bloodthirsty witch hunt to which my son is being subjected to” come to an end.
Following his actions after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final, Luis Rubiales faced consequences as FIFA imposed a temporary 90-day suspension on Friday.
Additionally, Spain’s Supreme Sports Council is actively pursuing his removal from office. This response stems from his behaviour, which included an unsolicited kiss on Spain player Jenni Hermoso.
Despite the mounting pressure, Rubiales remains steadfast in his refusal to step down.
He maintains that the kiss was mutual, a claim contested by the player herself. He has even gone so far as to threaten legal action against Jenni Hermoso and her union, Futpro.
In response to this situation, Spanish prosecutors have initiated a preliminary investigation into the incident on grounds of potential sexual abuse.
Béjar told EFE her protest would continue “indefinitely, day and night” until Rubiales was vindicated.
She added: “There is no sexual abuse since there is consent on both sides, as the images prove. … My son is incapable of hurting anyone.”
The news agency reported that she had locked herself inside the church in Motril — a town with a population of around 60,000, in the province of Granada — with her sister, after its priest had left.
Rubiales’ cousin, Vanessa Ruiz Béjar, confirmed to Teledeporte that his mother was on hunger strike, saying: “This is very hard. To say that there is a harassment is not fair.
“That his mom, who is a person of great faith, has taken refuge in God and is on a hunger strike and does not want to leave the church. That his family is suffering very much on his behalf. It is not fair what is happening.
“He has been judged ahead of time and he should be left in peace. We want Jenni to tell the truth. Why has she changed her story three times? Our family has been harassed. This woman should tell the truth. Jenni, you should tell the truth. We want Jenni to tell the truth.
“The way they are treating with him, the aggression, the feminists, the television, it seems to me shameful. All the people who are taking advantage of the situation, it is shameful.”
A friendly football match dubbed the “Friends of Rubiales” that was supposed to take place in Motril and feature the RFEF president was canceled on Saturday, with the local town hall citing fears over public order.
Rubiales’ behaviour and his subsequent refusal to acknowledge his actions have sparked broad criticism, resonating not only within Spain but also from football clubs, players, and political figures on the global stage.
Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Labour Minister, and leader of the far-left Sumar coalition, declared on Monday that systemic male chauvinism is prevalent in the country and has manifested in its most concerning manifestation.
She emphasised the urgent need for a transformation in societal attitudes across Spain and called for improved safeguards for individuals who have experienced sexual harassment and violence.