Luis Rubiales has refused to step down as president of the Spanish football federation following his behavior at the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
Rubiales, 46, kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England.
“I will not resign, I will not resign,” he told an extraordinary general assembly called by the federation. “A social assassination is taking place.”
Rubiales apologized for the kiss on Monday before Fifa, world football’s governing body, opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday.
On Friday he apologized for grabbing his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area in Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.
Widespread reports in Spain suggested Rubiales would announce his resignation on Friday – but instead he vowed to “fight until the end”.
“I’m ready to be vilified to defend my ideals,” he added. “I don’t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.
“I want to apologies without reservation for everything that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body that you have already seen.
“Of course I have to apologies, to the Queen, and to everyone who has felt offended. I have been in countless boxes and I have never behaved like that.”
