Former Football Boss Targeted During Book Launch
The disgraced former president of Spain's football federation faced an embarrassing confrontation as he attempted to rebuild his public image. Luis Rubiales was struck by eggs thrown by his own uncle during the presentation of his new memoir, Matar a Rubiales (Killing Rubiales).
The incident occurred on Friday 14 November 2025 as Rubiales launched his 500-page account of his professional demise. Witnesses reported seeing the former football chief forced to spin away rapidly to avoid at least two of the projectiles, with one egg splattering across a nearby screen.
Family Conflict and Security Concerns
In a surprising revelation following the attack, Rubiales identified the perpetrator as his own uncle. Speaking to reporters at the scene, the former football boss described his relative as "a troubled man, and always has been."
Rubiales expressed genuine concern during the confrontation, admitting "when I first saw him I thought he might be carrying a weapon." The incident highlights the deep personal divisions that have emerged following Rubiales's controversial actions and subsequent legal battles.
The Kiss That Sparked Global Outrage
Rubiales's troubles began during the 2023 Women's World Cup medal ceremony, when he grabbed Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips without consent. The team had just celebrated their tournament victory, making the incident particularly jarring.
Video footage of the unsolicited kiss circulated globally, sparking immediate outrage across the football community and beyond. Hermoso later testified in court that Rubiales had "stained one of the happiest days" of her life and "disrespected" her through his actions.
Despite Rubiales consistently denying the kiss was non-consensual, the controversy forced his resignation under immense pressure from the Spanish government, football officials, women players, and fans worldwide.
Legal Consequences and Failed Appeal
The legal proceedings resulted in Rubiales being found guilty of sexual assault earlier this year. A Spanish court imposed significant penalties including:
- A €10,800 fine (approximately £9,206)
- A one-year restraining order preventing him from approaching within 200 metres of Jenni Hermoso
- A ban on any contact with the footballer
The court noted in its ruling that Rubiales had demonstrated restraint with other players during the same ceremony and "could also have done so, without too much effort, with the captain." Rubiales later lost his appeal against this conviction, cementing the legal outcome.
Controversial Memoir and Conspiracy Claims
According to its publisher, Matar A Rubiales presents the former football federation boss as claiming to be the victim of a "conspiracy of different powers of Spanish public life." The memoir allegedly points fingers at both the government and what Rubiales describes as "the profitable world of feminism."
The book launch incident demonstrates that despite his attempts to tell his side of the story through his memoir, public sentiment remains strongly against the former football administrator. The egg-throwing episode serves as a physical manifestation of the widespread condemnation he continues to face.
This dramatic confrontation during what was meant to be a rehabilitation of his public image instead underscores the lasting impact of his actions during that fateful World Cup celebration and the ongoing consequences of the subsequent legal battle.
