Angeles Bejar, the mother of Spanish Football Association president Luis Rubiales, has gone on hunger strike and urged Jenni Hermoso to “speak the truth.”
With his conduct during the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, Rubiales has garnered unwanted headlines and found himself at the centre of a sporting and political tempest.
Rubiales grabbed the triumphant players and kissed Barcelona striker Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 victory against England.
He has endured a barrage of criticism in the aftermath of an eventful medal ceremony in Sydney, but he has pledged not to resign from his prominent position despite rising pressure.
Several leading stars in Spain have vowed not to represent their national team again until Rubiales is removed from power – with FIFA having stepped in to suspend him from all football-related activity.
Bejar has been left distraught at seeing her son become the subject of a “cruel” saga.
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She has reiterated Rubiales’ claims that there was “consent on both sides” regarding a now infamous kiss, with Hermoso urged to “tell the truth” and “maintain the version she had at the beginning of events” – with the 33-year-old having initially shrugged off the incident.
Bejar has now taken her protest to the Divina Pastora de Motril church and vowed to EFE that she will remain on hunger strike “indefinitely, day and night” until justice is done in her eyes.
She has said that “what they are doing with my son is something that he does not deserve”.
Bejar claims that Rubiales is “incapable of harming anyone” and is hoping to see his name cleared in an unfortunate saga.
