Luis Rubiales Attacked by Uncle During Book Launch in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain — Luis Rubiales was attacked with eggs thrown by his uncle during a book launch on Thursday night, recounting his fall from grace after kissing a player at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Rubiales was seated on a stool on stage when he jumped up, trying to dodge three eggs thrown at him. One egg hit his dark jacket while another splattered against a screen behind him as he struggled to evade the barrage in front of a sparse audience.

“A man entered. I later saw it was my uncle, who has had issues for a long time. He had some eggs and threw them at me. At first, I thought he might have a weapon,” Rubiales told reporters after the incident.

Spanish media identified the assailant as Luis Rubén Rubiales, an actor known for appearances on various national television shows. The Spanish police confirmed to The Associated Press that they arrested the man. No immediate motive for the attack was provided.

Video footage captured by attendees showed other men in the audience tackling Luis Rubén immediately after he threw the eggs and escorting him out. Rubiales had a fallout with another uncle, Juan Rubiales, years ago while he worked for him at the football federation.

In his book, “Matar a Rubiales,” he details his version of the events leading to his professional downfall after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony. According to his publisher, he alleges that he was a victim of a conspiracy by various influential figures in Spanish public life, including the government and what he calls the lucrative world of feminism.

Rubiales has consistently denied kissing Hermoso without her consent. After initially resisting calls for his resignation amid a national outcry, he stepped down under immense pressure from the government, football officials, players, and fans.

Earlier this year, a Spanish court found Rubiales guilty of sexual assault related to the non-consensual kiss. He is also under investigation by Spanish authorities regarding a 2020 agreement to move the Supercopa de España to Saudi Arabia.