Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been pelted with eggs by his own uncle in a shocking moment at his book event.
Rubiales was found guilty in February of sexually assaulting Spain women’s star Jenni Hermoso without her consent at the Women’s World Cup.
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Rubiales confronted his uncle after he threw eggs at him during a book eventCredit: @AlbertOrtegaES1 / X
The 48-year-old resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation in 2023 amid the major controversy.
He kissed Hermoso without her consent after Spain won the World Cup two years ago, sparking a huge backlash.
Now, the ex-chief has written a book called ‘Matar a Rubiales’ (Killing Rubiales), which focuses on his perspective of the situation.
He was officially presenting the book at the Espacio Eventize media room in Madrid when things turned violent.
A member of the audience suddenly rose to their feet and began throwing eggs in the direction of Rubiales.
The first missed its target and hit the wall, but then the second struck the back of the Spaniard.
And Rubiales then charged into the audience to confront the aggressor, who was wearing a beanie hat and headphones.
Members of security and other audience members surrounded the man and he was rushed out of the building.
Following the incident, things took a bizarre turn, as Marca revealed that the man was, in fact, Rubiales’ uncle.
Rubiales himself has also now confirmed that it was his dad’s younger brother who threw the eggs at him.
What has Rubiales said on the incident?
Speaking to Radio Marca after the shocking moment, Rubiales said: “Someone came in who I later saw was my uncle, a blood uncle of mine, who is a troublemaker, he always has been. He was carrying some eggs and threw some at me.
“But I didn’t know what he had in his hands and when I saw him, I thought he had a weapon. So I ran quickly towards him.”
He added: “We were lucky that they stopped me. I didn’t know what this man had in his hand, I didn’t know if he had a weapon.
“I saw a pregnant woman, who is my friend Paco’s wife, with two small children, right where he was standing with something in his hand, and I thought about the children.
“If I had grabbed him, we would be in a different situation.”
Rubiales’ uncle is reported to have been arrested by police for property damage following the egg-throwing.
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Rubiales was hit with one egg as his uncle targeted him in MadridCredit: @AlbertOrtegaES1 / XWhat did Rubiales do?
It has been nine months since Rubiales avoided jail time for kissing Hermoso without consent at the Women’s World Cup.
Hermoso told the court she did not consent to having the former football chief kiss her on the lips and said it had ‘tainted one of the happiest days’ of her life.
But Rubiales maintained his innocence throughout the trial, insisting the kiss was consensual and happened ‘in a moment of jubilation’.
Rubiales was ordered to pay a fine worth more than €10,000 (£8,274) – but he was acquitted of coercion.
He was told to pay €20 a day over the next 18 months and ordered not to go within 200 metres of Hermoso.