Spain men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente said that he and his team will “focus only on football” after being bombarded with questions on Monday about the resignation of Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales due to the kiss scandal.
De la Fuente appeared very upset as he tried to avoid talking about his former boss, three weeks after Rubiales kissed Spanish national team player Gini Ermoso on the mouth without her desire during the celebration of winning the Women’s World Cup last month.
On the eve of Spain’s European Championship 2024 qualifiers match against Cyprus, De La Fuente denied allegations that the scandal had affected the players of the Spain men’s national team, and said that the team’s focus is on football, which it demonstrated in a huge 7-1 victory away from home against Georgia last Friday.
Spain ranks second in Group A, nine points behind Scotland, but has two matches in hand.
“We only think about football and live in an isolated bubble,” De La Fuente said in a press conference.
He added: “I think we have to focus on football and what we as professionals can control. I have great respect for the decision made by Mr. Rubiales.”
De la Fuente was severely criticized for his applause for Rubiales last month when the federation president said he would not resign.
After six of the first seven questions asked by reporters, on Monday, were about Rubiales and the scandal, De La Fuente seemed upset when asked if he could send a message to the former president, who appointed him coach of the national team last December.
De La Fuente said, “I have been working with the Spanish Federation for 11 years. I lived for a long time before Luis Rubiales arrived.
“I’m a football coach. No one gave me anything. I got the job well deserved. I’m grateful to all the people who helped me throughout my life. I didn’t talk to him.”
Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement, saying he could no longer continue in his position.
2023-09-12 22:49:23
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