Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia question Rubiales impartiality after offensive text

October 12 – Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia are demanding an apology from the president of the Spanish FA (RFEF) after he allegedly said in leaked text messages that they were his least favourite clubs.

The alleged messages sent by Luis Rubiales (pictured) in a conversation with his father were revealed Tuesday by the newspaper El Confidencial.

The clubs released a joint statement to “condemn the gross disrespect shown by the president.”

They called for a swift apology from Rubiales, who spent time at Valencia as a youngster between 1993 and 1995.

“Sevilla FC, Valencia CF and Villarreal CF come together to condemn the gross disrespect shown by the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales,” the statement read.

 

“The conversations, in which he speaks with such contempt, animosity and arrogance towards the three clubs, are unacceptable coming from a person who holds a position of such responsibility and who must safeguard the interests of all the clubs in Spanish football equally.

“Sevilla FC, Valencia CF and Villarreal CF condemn Luis Rubiales’ contempt and lack of respect towards the three institutions and, even more importantly, towards their fans.

“We also express the utmost concern for the possible consequences that his attitude could have for the clubs, as his behaviour is not conducive to transparency within the competition.

“Sevilla FC, Valencia CF and Villarreal CF urge Luis Rubiales to put things right and publicly apologise to the three clubs and their fans.”

They added they were concerned about the “possible consequences that his attitude could have for the clubs, as his behaviour is not conducive to transparency within the competition.”

It seems hardly a week goes by without Rubiales, a UEFA vice-president who is leading Spain and Portugal’s joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, being in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Audio recordings previously released by El Confidencial alleged Rubiales and former Spain defender Gerard Piqué negotiated details of a lucrative deal to take the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia. Both have denied any wrongdoing

And only last month Rubiales was forced to deny accusations by a former employee that federation funds went to pay for a party with “young ladies” and to hire a detective to investigate the head of Spain’s players’ union.

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