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<\/div>\nLuis Rubiales has refused to step down as president of the Spanish football federation following his behaviour at the Women\u2019s World Cup final on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Rubiales, 46,\u00a0kissed forward Jenni Hermoso\u00a0on the lips after\u00a0Spain\u2019s 1-0 victory over England.<\/p>\n
He had earlier grabbed his crotch as he celebrated at the final whistle.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI will not resign, I will not resign,\u201d he told an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation. \u201cA social assassination is taking place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubiales apologised for the kiss on Monday before Fifa, world football\u2019s governing body,\u00a0opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday.<\/p>\n
On Friday he apologised for grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area of Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter stood nearby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready to be vilified to defend my ideals,\u201d added Rubiales. \u201cI don\u2019t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to apologise without reservations for everything that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body that you have already seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I have to apologise, to the Queen, and to everyone who has felt offended. I have been in countless boxes and I have never behaved like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiss was \u2018mutual and consensual\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Rubiales was repeatedly applauded as he addressed the assembly, which the federation called \u201cas a matter of urgency\u201d.<\/p>\n He defended his actions, saying he tried to console Hermoso after she had a late penalty saved by Mary Earps.<\/p>\n \u201cJenni was the one who lifted me up,\u201d he said. \u201cI told her to \u2018forget about the penalty\u2019 and I said to her \u2018a little peck?\u2019 and she said \u2018OK\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That\u2019s the key.<\/p>\n \u201cA consensual \u2018peck\u2019 is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Rubiales\u2019 initial apology was \u201cnot enough\u201d and second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz joined those calling on him to resign.<\/p>\n Futpro, a union representing Hermoso, said the incident\u00a0should not go unpunished\u00a0while the 33-year-old forward said the union would \u201cdefend my interests\u201d in the matter.<\/p>\n The Pachuca player, who has 101 caps, initially said on Instagram she \u201cdidn\u2019t like\u201d Rubiales\u2019 actions but a statement released later on her behalf defended him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n