The mother of Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales, under criticism for his kissing scandal, has boldly said that she will “die for justice” as she begins her second day of a hunger strike.
Early on Monday morning, August 28, 72-year-old retired hairdresser Angeles Bejar and her sister-in-law Mari Carmen barricaded themselves inside the Divina Pastora church.
Speaking from her place of religious shelter in the Costa resort of Motril, close to Malaga, she declared that she would continue her protest ‘indefinitely’ until ‘justice’ was obtained for her son. She has refrained from eating anything except water and energy drinks.
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“I’ll be here for as long as my body permits.” She remarked, “My son is a good man, and I don’t mind dying for justice because it’s not fair what they’re doing.”
Since he planted a kiss on World Cup victor Jenni Hermoso’s lips following the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney earlier this month, Rubiales has been at the centre of a maelstrom of controversy.
In addition, he has been under fire for groping his crotch in front of Queen Letizia of Spain and her teenage daughter Sofia. He has since issued an apology but has steadfastly refused to step down from his position as president of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF).
On Tuesday, the UN human rights office said that “women in sport continue to face sexual harassment and abuse; every one of us has the responsibility to call out and challenge such abuse.”
The UN has entered into the dispute as well.
‘Women in sport continue to face sexual harassment and abuse; every one of us has the responsibility to call out and challenge such abuse,’ the UN’s human rights office said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘We join Spain’s Jenni Hermoso and all those working to end abuse & sexism in sport. Make this a turning point.’
While this was happening, Angeles explained her behavior to a local TV station via a series of WhatsApp messages. She accused Hermoso of fabricating the episode, which was captured on live television and has since been repeatedly replayed.
Angeles remarked, “I just want her [Jenni Hermoso] to stick to the version she had when all this started.”
‘There is no sexual abuse as there is consent on both sides, as is shown in the images. Why are they being cruel to him? What is behind all this story? He is incapable of harming anyone. I believe a lot in God and I ask for the truth.’
On Monday night, a crowd of around 100 locals gathered to support Rubiales, and several members of his family joined them.
