In a dramatic public confrontation, the disgraced former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, was pelted with eggs during his own book launch by a man reported to be his uncle.
A Shocking Family Confrontation
The incident unfolded on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at an event in Madrid. Rubiales, 48, was on stage when a member of the audience began hurling eggs in his direction. Video footage from the event shows the former football chief racing forward to confront his assailant before being physically restrained by other attendees.
Speaking to Radio Marca afterwards, Rubiales confirmed the attacker's identity, stating the man was his uncle, whom he described as having ‘always been a trouble maker.’ Spanish media outlet Marca further identified the individual as also being named Luis Rubiales, his father’s younger brother.
Rubiales' Fear and Reaction
The disgraced official revealed that in the heat of the moment, he feared for the safety of others present. ‘He was carrying eggs and throwing them at me, but I didn’t know what he had in his hands and when I saw him, I thought he had a weapon,’ Rubiales explained.
He added that his immediate concern was for a pregnant woman and two small children standing near his uncle. ‘I thought about the children. If I had grabbed him, we would be in a different situation,’ he stated, claiming they were ‘lucky’ he was held back.
The Scandal That Preceded the Attack
This bizarre family incident is the latest chapter in the controversy that has engulfed Rubiales since August 2023. His fall from grace began when he kissed Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup final celebrations without her consent.
The consequences were severe:
- He was found guilty of sexually assaulting Hermoso.
- He received a €10,800 (£8,935) fine and a restraining order.
- He resigned from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation in September 2023.
- FIFA subsequently handed him a three-year ban from all football-related activities.
The book launch, intended to present his side of the story, instead became another scene of public humiliation, underscoring the deep divisions and lasting impact of the scandal that brought his career to an end.
