A Spanish court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by former soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales against coach Javier Clemente. Rubiales had taken legal action after Clemente publicly labeled him as a "dangerous and ambitious guy" seeking "to get rich." The court ruled that Clemente's comments were protected as free speech.
The ruling, dated September 1 and disclosed on September 18, comes amid an unrelated scandal involving Luis Rubiales' conduct during the Women's World Cup last month. The Madrid court justified its decision, stating that;
"we are dealing with a pure exercise of the right to freely express an opinion about a person who, moreover, is a public figure."
The ruling is subject to appeal.
Luis Rubiales declined to comment on the court's decision, while Javier Clemente, who served as the Spain national men's team coach during the 1990s, was unavailable for comment.
The legal dispute began in 2022 when Rubiales initiated legal proceedings against Clemente following an interview in which the outspoken coach remarked that Rubiales' "goal was to make a fortune" while leading the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The court's decision adds another layer to the ongoing turmoil surrounding Luis Rubiales. At the medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup victory in Sydney on August 20, Rubiales ignited a nationwide controversy by unexpectedly kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. The incident sparked outrage and discussions about sexism within Spanish sports and society.
Despite widespread calls from players, politicians, and women's advocacy groups for his resignation, Rubiales clung to his position as president of the RFEF for weeks. However, on September 10, he ultimately stepped down from both his role as president of the RFEF and as vice president of UEFA. This decision came shortly after Jenni Hermoso filed a criminal complaint against him, alleging sexual assault.
Javier Clemente, a former professional player, achieved significant success in the world of football. He led Athletic Bilbao to La Liga titles and served as the manager of the Spanish national team for six years, overseeing their participation in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. In addition to his time with Spain, Clemente has coached the national teams of Serbia, Cameroon, and Libya.
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