From left: Angeles Bejar and Luis Rubiales.Photo:Alex Camara/Europa Press via Getty; Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 via Getty

Embattled Soccer President’s Mother Released From Hospital Following Hunger Strike, As Backlash Continues Over Unwanted Kiss

Alex Camara/Europa Press via Getty; Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 via Getty

The mother of embattled Spanish soccer president Luis Rubiales hasreportedlybeen released from the hospital after going on a brief hunger strike in protest of criticism against her son, whokissed a playeron the women’s national team without consent after they won the World Cup last month.Fans, global soccer executives and players from around the world have called for Rubiales, 46, tostep downfrom his position as the Spanish soccer federation’s president.

Angeles Bejar began her hunger strike inside the Divina Pastora church in Motril, Spain on Monday. She was taken to the Santa Ana hospital three days into her protest, as a local priest who identified himself as Father Antonio toldreportersthat the 72-year-old woman was feeling “tired and stressed out” after days of not eating.

Bejar refused to speak to reporters after she was released from the hospital, CNNreported.

Her adult son has faced a growing amount of criticism around the world for his behavior following Spain’s 1-0 win over England to capture the country’s first Women’s World Cup last month.

Luis Rubiales.Jesus Hellin/Europa Press via Getty

The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, poses for Europa Press, at the Meeting Place Auditorium on February 14, 2023, in Madrid, Spain.

Jesus Hellin/Europa Press via Getty

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After the match, Hermoso was spotted telling her teammates she did not consent to the kiss. She later said in a statement on social media that “in no moment did I consent to the kiss that he gave me and in no moment did I try to pick up the president.”

“Simply put, I was not respected,” Hermosa, 33, wrote. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.”

Angeles Bejar.Alex Camara/Europa Press via Getty

Angeles Bejar, mother of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) attends to the media, August 29, 2023, In Motril, Granada, (Andalusia, Spain).Angeles Bejar, mother of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), locked in the church on hunger strike.

Alex Camara/Europa Press via Getty

Rubiales has since refused to step down from his role atop the country’s soccer federation, calling his critics “idiots,” inflaming the controversy even more.

“I’ve come under a lot of pressure,” he said during his speech to the country’s soccer federation,per ESPN, adding, “I’m going to fight until the end. I hope the law is followed, and that as there’s no reason to [remove me], it won’t happen.”

Weeks after winning the World Cup, players for the Spanish Women’s National Team said they’ll refuse to play for the team as long as Rubiales remains president.

source: people.com