Disgraced ex-Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales claims he's facing jail sentence because 'he's a man'

Disgraced former Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiale has claimed he is facing jail time over the supposed 'non-consensual kiss', only because 'he's a man'. Rubiales has been embroiled in legal troubles after he kissed World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips last year.

Speaking to La Sexta on the 'kissgate', Rubiales said he felt unfairly singled out over the whole issue.

“I have a clear conscience. Things have become crazy. A small thing has gone on to devour a person. I wanted to be calm and get out of the spotlight. False feminism? What I said is said. I defend egalitarianism. Feminism advocates supporting women to achieve equality," said Rubiales.

«For me there is no crime. It's my opinion. I asked her the question [over the kiss] and she said: 'Okay'. You can't question Hermoso. I can. Is it because I'm a man? They want to curtail freedom of thought.”

Rubiales added that he could not „understand that anyone could think this was a sexual assault“.

While Rubiales claimed innocence, Hermoso said after the incident that the Spanish FA chief's action had left her „vulnerable and a victim of aggression“. She described Rubiales' kiss as a sexist and impulsive act which had no consent from her side.

Spanish prosecutors demand jail time

The Spanish prosecutors have sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Rubiales. They also want him to pay $108,000 in compensation to Hermoso whilst demanding that he be specifically disqualified from working in the sporting field.

The prosecutors want the court to prohibit Rubiales from communicating with the Hermoso and approaching her within a radius of 200 metres for four years. Earlier, reports claimed that Rubiales had coerced the Spanish player to come to his