The Spanish Football Federation has taken another step in its line of apologizing for the attitude of Luis Rubiales during the Women's World Cup, and through a public letter signed by Pedro Rocha, the interim president, says it feels embarrassed by the former president's behavior. He remembers that he has asked for his resignation, that he is collaborating to achieve it with the Higher Sports Council and announces that he will make amends to the players. The letter apologizes to the world of football and society in general.
The text of the letter is as follows:
The Royal Spanish Football Federation, through its President, D.Pedro Rocha, considers it essential to request the most sincere apologies to the whole of world football, football institutions (FIFA, UEFA, FN), footballers, especially the players of the Spanish Soccer Team and the English Soccer Team, the other agents involved in soccer and the fans all over the world, for the totally unacceptable behavior of their highest institutional representative during the final and in the aftermath , which do not respond at all to the values of the whole of Spanish society, its institutions, its representatives, its athletes and the leaders of Spanish sport. Spanish society is an example of tolerance and civility, in all social and political fields and has been a
example of sporting behavior and decorum, as he has demonstrated for decades in all the sporting events in which he has participated; and that nobility and international prestige of our society and our sport have been tarnished in recent days by the actions of Luis M. Rubiales.
The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole has been enormous.
The RFEF wants to convey to society as a whole and to world football as a whole its deepest regret for what has happened that has tarnished our team, our football and our society. We feel deeply sorry for the damage caused and for this reason, from this RFEF we must ask for the most sincere apologies and acquire a firm and absolute commitment that events like these can never happen again.
further.
Both the governing bodies of the world of football -FIFA- and the bodies responsible for sport at the state level -Higher Sports Council CSD and Administrative Court of Sports TAD- have immediately adopted the corresponding measures, immediately opening
two disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Luis Rubiales and which entail, in the case of FIFA's decision, the immediate suspension of his functions as president of the RFEF. The RFEF is providing all the documentary and administrative support required from both
disciplinary bodies to be able to have a definitive resolution as soon as possible that allows compensation for the damage caused.
Winning the World Cup was one of the proudest moments in the history of the Spanish Federation and one of the most important moments in Spanish sport, women's soccer, without a doubt. The performance of Mr. Rubiales both at that time and in the following hours are not acceptable under any circumstances and for this reason the RFEF immediately withdrew
from its website all those inappropriate and meaningless communications that did not value what the National Team had achieved and did not take into account the player's statements about these facts. The actions of Mr. Rubiales do not represent the values defended by the Spanish Federation, nor the values of Spanish society as a whole, and his actions must be attributed solely and exclusively to him, since he is solely responsible for his actions before society, before sports bodies and, if applicable, before the courts. To make it clear, this position was that of Mr. Rubiales, not that of the RFEF.
We are especially sorry and embarrassed by the additional pain and anguish this has caused. We regret that this incident negatively impacted what should have been an ongoing celebration of football, both for our national team and for the England Lionesses, who were a truly extraordinary opponent in a thrilling final.
On Monday, August 28, 2023, the RFEF issued a statement in which the presidents of the Autonomous Federations unanimously demanded the resignation of Mr. Rubiales as President of the RFEF for his improper conduct. A review of the organization's current leadership structures was also announced and is ongoing.
In this regard, in order to protect Spanish football and ensure that these behaviors are not repeated, a thorough investigation into the events and subsequent measures taken by Mr. Rubiales was immediately launched. At the same time, all the presidents of the member federations of the Spanish Federation demanded the immediate resignation of the president and have committed themselves to
Conduct a thorough review of all organizational policies and procedures. The commitment of all of them is unanimous and firm to have in the next few days a whole set of actions that improve the governance of the Spanish football federation and make it possible to repair, as far as possible, the damage caused. The RFEF must act in coordination with the Higher Sports Council to serve the
general interests of Spanish sport. We have privately sent this statement to the relevant authorities and institutions, which we are now making public.
Lastly, I want to once again congratulate our team on their historic victory, recognizing the impact and legacy that their victory will have on the future of Spanish football. We are convinced that their spirit has inspired millions of people of all ages, and we could not be more proud of the way they have behaved, both inside and out.
off the field of play. In due course, I intend to return them to the spotlight and celebrate their achievements as they deserve."
