Luis Rubiales’ return to public life took an extraordinary turn in Madrid when an individual later identified as his uncle disrupted the launch of his new book by throwing eggs at him, prompting a brief confrontation before security intervened.
The former president of the Spanish Football Federation, who left his post in 2023 following widespread criticism over his actions at the Women’s World Cup, had been presenting his memoir Matar a Rubiales, a work that sets out his own account of the events that have followed him for two years.
Rubiales, 48, was found guilty earlier this year of sexually assaulting midfielder Jenni Hermoso after kissing her on the lips during Spain’s World Cup celebrations.
Hermoso told the court she did not consent to the kiss and described how it had overshadowed what should have been a defining moment in her career.
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Rubiales maintained throughout the proceedings that the kiss had been consensual and took place in what he described as “a moment of jubilation”.
He avoided a custodial sentence but received a fine of more than €10,000 and must pay €20 a day over 18 months. He was also ordered to remain at least two hundred metres from Hermoso.
During the book presentation at Espacio Eventize, what had begun as a routine promotional appearance veered abruptly off course.
Le acaban de tirar tres huevos a Luis Rubiales en la presentación de su libro al grito de "sinvergüenza".
— Albert Ortega (@AlbertOrtegaES1) November 13, 2025
Le han tenido que parar para que Rubiales no le pegase. pic.twitter.com/zwHbu38DLL
Witnesses reported that a man stood up among the audience and threw eggs toward the stage. One struck the wall, another hit Rubiales on the back.
The man wore a beanie hat and headphones, details that contributed to the momentary confusion as event security moved toward him.
Rubiales reacted instantly, stepping down from the stage and moving towards the crowd before staff and audience members blocked his path.
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Luis Rubiales attempted to dodge the eggs during the book event
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The man was removed from the room and later detained by police on suspicion of property damage.
Spanish outlet Marca reported that the assailant was in fact a close relative of the former federation chief. Rubiales subsequently confirmed that the individual was his uncle, the younger brother of his father.
Speaking to Radio Marca afterwards, he attempted to explain his instinctive response.
“Someone came in who I later saw was my uncle, a blood uncle of mine, who is a troublemaker, he always has been,” he said.
“He was carrying some eggs and threw some at me. But I didn’t know what he had in his hands and when I saw him, I thought he had a weapon. So I ran quickly towards him.”
He emphasised his concern for those seated nearby.
Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexually assaulting footballer Jenni Hermoso by kissing her without consent after Spain's Women's World Cup victory in 2023
| GETTY“We were lucky that they stopped me. I didn’t know what this man had in his hand," he added.
"I saw a pregnant woman, who is my friend Paco’s wife, with two small children, right where he was standing with something in his hand, and I thought about the children.
"If I had grabbed him, we would be in a different situation.”
The episode adds another layer of drama to a saga that has already dominated Spanish sport and politics.
While Rubiales has sought to use his book to set out his version of events, the confrontation at its unveiling served instead as a reminder of how sharply divided opinion around him remains.