Ángeles Behar (left), mother of Luis Rubiales, chats with a friend at the entrance to Divin Pastor Church Photo: Alba Feixas/Shutterstock
The mother of Spain's football president has gone on hunger strike in a church as prosecutors launched a preliminary investigation into the sexual abuse of his kiss at the World Cup final.
Ángeles Bejar has locked herself inside a sacred building to protest what she calls an «inhuman witch hunt» against her son Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish football federation who was suspended by FIFA amid international outcry after he kissed Jenny Hermoso. lips after her team's victory at the Women's World Cup.
Ms Bejart, a former hairdresser, hides with her sister in the church of Divin Pastor in the Andalusian coastal resort of Motril, east of Malaga, where Rubiales grew up. She said that she would stay there «day and night» until the desired result was achieved.
The police were on duty outside the building and Mass was canceled on Monday evening due to the actions of Ms Béjart. No one was allowed to enter the premises.
Rubiales' father is the former mayor of Motril, and dozens of locals carry signs of support such as «stop hunting Rubiales» and «Jenny, why not.» tell the truth?» appeared outside the church yesterday.
Luis Rubiales was suspended by FIFA after an international outcry after he kissed Jenny Hermoso on the lips. Photo: Frank Fife/Getty
The local police officer guarding the entrance said: “His family is very well known here, Luis grew up here and his father was the mayor.
“There are many people behind him and many people against him. This completely divided local opinion.»
Ms Behar stated that she would insist until Rubiales received «justice» and demanded that Hermoso tell the «truth» about the kiss, which led to the suspension of Rubiales from FIFA on Friday.
Rubiales' cousin Vanessa Ruiz, who spoke as the family's representative at the church, said: «We are suffering a lot because of him. He was convicted ahead of time.
“They [the media] do not stop persecuting us. We had to leave the house. We want them to leave us alone and for Jenny to tell the truth. It's not fair.»
«A very religious person.»
Ms. Ruiz said her aunt was «a very religious person who went on a hunger strike and doesn't want to leave the church.»
Ms Behar's hunger strike began on the same day that the Spanish prosecutor's office opened a preliminary case against Rubiales for allegedly sexually assaulting Hermoso on the battlefield.
The National Court gave Hermoso 15 days alleged victim of sexual assault, which could lead to a criminal case against the president.
Speaking about the kiss, Hermoso said last week: “I want to clarify that I never agreed to the kiss he gave me … I can’t stand my word being questioned, and even more so when words were invented, which I didn't do.
Ramon, 67, a retiree from Motril, said he knew Rubiales as a child and supports him.
He said: “I didn't think the kiss was that bad. , he was captured by the moment. Spain just won the World Cup. Did he make a mistake? Maybe, but he doesn't deserve all this outrage.»
«The man is disgusting»
However, a local resident, 83-year-old Antonio Ruiz, said he considered this kiss «disgusting».
«This man is disgusting, and anyone who supports him has lost his head,» he said.
p>“I saw a kiss, and I felt disgusted, because this is unacceptable to do with someone.
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“We live next door to a church and this has drawn a lot of attention to where we are. I don't want to.
Yolanda Diaz, the acting deputy prime minister, met with representatives of the football union on Monday with a view to removing Rubiales. «Our country needs a deep renewal of the sports structure,» she said at a press conference.
The Football Federation is also embroiled in a legal dispute with its own players, who revolted on Friday. after Rubiales shouted «I will not resign» three times, despite international outrage over his kiss.
Grabbed her crotch
He grabbed a football player and pulled her to his lips during the medal ceremony at the end Spain's 1-0 victory, and also clutched his crotch as a sign of celebration, standing next to the Queen of Spain.
However, the Besieged Rubiales said at an emergency meeting on Friday: “Agreed “nibble” is enough to get me out of here? I will fight to the end.”
All 11 members of the Spain women's coaching staff, bar manager Jorge Vilda, resigned on Saturday, citing Rubiales' behavior. However, on the apparent orders of Rubiales, the Spanish federation said it would take «necessary legal action» against the 79 female players who refused to play while he remains in office.
The federation is at odds with the team, the international sports authorities and its own government, which was about to suspend Rubiales through a court pending FIFA suspension.
The suspension, which was originally for 90 days, pending proceedings against Rubiales began on Thursday.
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The federation has repeatedly said that Hermoso said the kiss was not inappropriate.
Regional calls for resignation
On Monday evening, Rubiales received a call to resign as presidents of his regions, who after an «urgent» five-hour the meetings decided that his «unacceptable behavior» had «seriously damaged the image of Spanish football».
«We will call on the relevant authorities to carry out a deep and speedy… restructuring of the federation's strategic position to give way to a new phase of Spanish football governance,» regional bodies say The Spanish Football Federation wrote a statement expressing its admiration Spain women's team.
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