Spain men`s coach Luis de la Fuente tried to avoid questions on Thursday about the scandal sparked by football federation boss Luis Rubiales` unsolicited kiss of player Jenni Hermoso after her team`s victory in the Women`s World Cup, reports Reuters.
On the eve of their Euro 2024 qualifier in Tbilisi against Georgia when Spain will be bidding to bounce back from their 2-0 loss to Scotland, a visibly uncomfortable De La Fuente tried to dismiss the idea that the furore sparked by Rubiales` actions in Sydney could be a distraction for his players.
"We have a very important game. We need to win tomorrow with our eyes on qualifying for the European Championship and we are only focused on that," De La Fuente told a press conference.
"I want us to do well enough to win tomorrow," De la Fuente said when asked for his opinion on the RFEF decision to sack women`s coach Jorge Vilda, as both were under fire for applauding Rubiales when he said he would not resign.
Spain midfielder Rodri said the players had a meeting with De La Fuente to address the issue.
"The first thing we did was get together to talk about the situation and the responsibility of expressing ourselves as a Spain men`s team," Rodri said.
"The coach gave his own explanations. It is an unpleasant situation that we all find ourselves in, including the coach. They haven`t been easy weeks for him."
Hermoso lodged a criminal complaint over the kiss on Tuesday after she gave testimony to the Spanish prosecutor.
Rubiales could face criminal charges in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain`s top sport court for "serious misconduct" and an investigation by world soccer`s governing body FIFA.
