Luis Rubiales

Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar (born 23 August 1977) is a former Spanish football official and professional player who played as a defender, appearing in 53 La Liga matches over three seasons. He was the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and one of UEFA's vice-presidents. On 10 September 2023, Rubiales resigned from his post in the wake of a scandal involving Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final award ceremony. He is banned from all football activities for three years. On 3 April 2024, Rubiales was arrested in Madrid as part of a corruption investigation about the relocation of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Early life

Rubiales was born in Las Palmas on the Canary Islands to father Luis Manuel Rubiales López, a primary school teacher and mother Ángeles Béjar, a hairdresser. He was raised in Motril in the Province of Granada.

Playing career

Rubiales spent the majority of his playing career in the Segunda División, representing Guadix, Mallorca B, Lleida, Xerez, Levante (gaining promotion to La Liga in 2004 and 2006) and Alicante CF. He was primarily deployed as a central defender and became a regular squad member at Levante during the 2000s. He made his debut in the Spanish top flight on 29 August 2004, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–1 away draw against Real Sociedad. Overall, he appeared in 53 La Liga matches over three seasons.

On 4 August 2009, it was announced Rubiales had agreed a one-year deal at Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. However, after his third league appearance, in which he was named man of the match, he announced his retirement at the age of 32, returning to Spain to take up a backroom role at Levante.