The mother of Luis Rubiales, the embattled Spanish soccer chief, who initiated a hunger strike in support of her son, has been admitted to a hospital due to feelings of anguish and dizziness, as reported by a local priest.
Ángeles Béjar locked herself inside the Divina Pastora church in Motril, her hometown in southern Spain, on Monday to protest her son’s treatment. He had been suspended by FIFA for forcibly kissing World Cup player Jennifer Hermoso during the final match.
Father Antonio, a priest at the church, informed reporters that Béjar was taken to the hospital on Wednesday. He explained, “She had a crisis, worsened, and required urgent hospitalization due to her fatigue, numerous issues, and even signs of anemia.”
Béjar experienced feelings of anguish, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat, Father Antonio stated. He mentioned that Rubiales had communicated with his mother before her hospitalization, and the family collectively decided on the necessity of medical attention.
A friend of Rubiales’ mother had previously told CNN Portugal that Béjar’s health had been deteriorating, but she anticipated that she would persist in her hunger strike.
Béjar’s hunger strike aimed to denounce what she perceived as an “inhumane, bloodthirsty hunt” against her son, as reported by Spanish media.
CNN Portugal, earlier this week, interviewed a friend of Rubiales’ mother at the church, who labeled the backlash against Rubiales as “an injustice” and expressed skepticism about the severity of the allegations against him.
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Pressure has mounted on Rubiales following Spain’s victory over England in the World Cup final. Controversy surrounding Rubiales and significant resentment from the women’s soccer team toward his leadership have overshadowed the victory.
While Rubiales acknowledged a mistake in kissing Hermoso, he insisted it was consensual. Hermoso, however, refuted this claim, asserting that she did not grant permission and felt violated by his actions.
FIFA suspended Rubiales over the weekend, prompting the Spanish football federation (RFEF) to appoint an interim president, Pedro Rocha, to serve during his 90-day ban from football-related activities.
All 19 regional presidents of the soccer federation called for Rubiales’ resignation and expressed unanimous support for interim president Pedro Rocha.
Rubiales has faced intensified pressure to step down since his defiant refusal to resign at the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly, vowing to “fight to the end.”
Spanish prosecutors are contemplating potential sexual aggression charges against Rubiales. Criticism continues from players, politicians, union officials, and even the United Nations. Protesters in Madrid have taken to the streets to demand his resignation.
Paloma Torres, a 29-year-old lawyer who protested against Rubiales in Madrid, conveyed the collective sentiment: “We are all very angry at this because all women have suffered some kind of abuse.”
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