In a surprising turn of events, Luis de la Fuente, the manager of the Spanish men’s national team, has issued an apology for his actions during a recent assembly. De la Fuente, along with women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, was seen applauding beleaguered soccer chief Luis Rubiales, despite the controversy surrounding him.
Rubiales has been under fire recently for an unwanted kiss he gave to Jennifer Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final. As a result, FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days and banned him from all football-related activities while disciplinary proceedings take place.
During the assembly, Rubiales defiantly proclaimed that he would not resign, and it was at this moment that de la Fuente and Vilda applauded repeatedly. Their actions were met with backlash from the public and media, prompting de la Fuente to address the issue at a press conference.
De la Fuente expressed remorse for his actions and asked for forgiveness. He stated that his behavior did not align with his values and emphasized that he will always be on the side of equality. The manager also revealed that he had expected Rubiales to step down during the assembly, only to be disappointed when Rubiales refused to do so.
The interim president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Pedro Rocha, fully supported de la Fuente and made it clear that he would remain in his post. Rocha emphasized the importance of unity within the national team, especially during challenging times like these.
This incident has sparked intense debate and criticism in the football community, with many calling for greater accountability and respect within the sport. It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect the Spanish men’s national team, but one thing is certain – de la Fuente’s apology is a step towards acknowledging the importance of integrity and equality in soccer.
