Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation has refused to resign from his position despite pressure from the public after he forcibly kissed footballer Jenni Hermoso in Spain’s 1-0 Women’s World Cup final win over England last week.

“I will not resign, I will not resign,” Rubiales told an extraordinary general assembly called by the Spanish federation, where he was expected to resign from his position. “A social assassination is taking place,” the 46-year-old added.

The football chief has since apologised for his “indecent conduct” but many believe that the apology alone is not sufficient and called for the resignation of Rubiales, who has been at centre of many controversies since he assumed office.

On Friday, Rubiales tendered an apology for another incident that occurred during the World Cup after he reportedly grabbed his crotch while celebrating in the VIP area in Stadium Australia, with Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter standing nearby.

Meanwhile, Rubiales reiterated that he is prepared to be vilified but will defend himself against the “manhunt” he has been subjected to.

“I’m ready to be vilified to defend my ideals,” he added. I don’t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.”

“I want to apologise without reservation for everything that happened in the box, when in a moment of euphoria I grabbed that part of my body that you have already seen.”