Rubiales' mother on hunger strike after kiss controversy

The mother of Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales has locked herself inside a church and announced a hunger strike in protest at his "inhumane treatment" following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso.

Rubiales has refused to step down from his role but has been suspended by FIFA after he kissed Hermoso after Spain's 1-0 Women's World Cup final win over England.

He was widely expected to resign at a meeting on Friday but instead made a defiant speech, claiming he was the victim of a witch-hunt by "false feminists".

The Spanish football federation has since called an "extraordinary and urgent" meeting over the situation, scheduled for Monday.

But Rubiales' mother has now taken action. Angeles Bejar said her strike would last "until a solution is found to the inhumane and bloody hunt they are carrying out against my son with something he does not deserve", according to EFE news agency.

According to EFE, Bejar stayed inside the parish church of Divina Pastora in Rubiales' hometown in southern Spain, Motril, with her sister after the parish priest left.

Comments