THIS is the bizarre moment Luis Rubiales is egged at point-blank range by a man said to be his own uncle during his book launch event.
The dad-of-three, convicted of sexual assault over the Women’s World Cup ‘Kissgate’ scandal, appeared to run towards his attacker before being held back.
TV cameras captured the close-range barrage as at least three eggs were thrown, one splattering onto the back of Rubiales’ jacket and another striking his hand as he tried to swat it away.
The assailant is understood to have shouted: “Don’t worry, nothing’s up” before launching his missiles.
Rubiales appeared to sprint toward the man after being hit, with the moment – and his demand that the attacker be identified so police could arrest him – also picked up on camera.
Spanish media last night named the attacker as Luis Ruben Rubiales, the ex-FA boss’s paternal uncle, after earlier reports suggested the assailant could be a family member.
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Rubiales himself had reportedly admitted his family was “very divided.”
The dramatic twist lands on top of an already bitter family rift.
Another uncle, Juan Rubiales, is a long-time adversary who has publicly accused his nephew of being “obsessed with power, luxury, money and women,” and once claimed: “Luis needs a social re-education programme and a re-education in his relationship with women.”
Police have not officially named the man arrested outside the Madrid events hall and are not expected to do so tonight.
Rubiales said after the egg attack: “Luckily I was stopped before I reached him. I didn’t know if he had a weapon or not. I saw a pregnant woman with two children. I was thinking about the children.”
Admitting he felt fear, he added: “I don’t care if I have eggs thrown at me.”
Rubiales went further, insisting he felt buoyant despite the attack, saying: “I’m feeling strong and very good. I’m delighted with the response my book’s getting.
“It shows that people are beginning to disbelieve fake news. In this country I’m not sure what percentage of people would throw eggs at me and what percentage flowers because I’m one of the few people who dares to tell the truth, which is the reason for this book.”
He also remained unrepentant about his infamous World Cup kiss, adding in a fresh swipe at Jenni Hermoso: “There’s people who want me to say sorry to a person who’s lied. She and I know I’m telling the truth. What happened happened.”
The ugly incident happened at an official ceremony in Madrid where Rubiales was presenting the 506-page book railing against his “persecution.”
The disgraced footie boss, currently touring Spain to promote the book in cities including Motril and Granada, uses it to criticise his government, “armchair feminists” and “wokeness,” arguing he has been damaged by the “greatest conspiracy” in the history of Spanish football.
His book is titled Matar a Rubiales, which in English translates as ‘Kill Rubiales.’
Publishers Ultima Linea last month teased its claims, describing it as written by “the victim of the greatest conspiracy Spanish football has ever seen.”
Rubiales was indicted after his World Cup kiss on striker Jenni Hermoso, a moment witnessed around the world.
Public prosecutors had sought a one-year prison term for sexual assault and an additional year and a half for alleged coercion.
He was acquitted of coercion following a February trial in Madrid but convicted of the sex crime and fined £8,395.
A judge banned him from going within 200 metres of Jenni, who told the court the kiss had “tainted one of the happiest days of her life” and accused Rubiales of “abusing her as a woman.”
Rubiales is appealing his conviction to Spain’s Supreme Court.
The kiss came moments after Rubiales grabbed his crotch before stepping onto the medal podium to greet Queen Letizia and her then-16-year-old daughter.
He quit as FA chief in September 2023, less than three weeks after furiously insisting at an extraordinary general assembly that he would not resign.
In that speech, he told his daughters: “Daughters, learn it, it is a life lesson.
“You are real feminists, not the false feminism that is out there.
“This false feminism does not seek justice, truth, it does not care about people.”
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Two of his daughters, Lucia and Ana, were initially due to testify at his trial before he changed course.
Spain men’s manager Luis de la Fuente also gave evidence, with public prosecutor Marta Durantez accusing him of “inconsistencies” over what he knew about alleged pressure on Jenni.
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