The mother of Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales started a hunger strike inside a church on Monday to protest against what she called her son's "inhumane treatment" over his grabbing and kissing player Jenni Hermoso, his cousin said.
Rubiales, who is president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was suspended on Saturday by FIFA amid a furore after he kissed Hermoso on the mouth during the awards ceremony following Spain's World Cup victory in Sydney on Aug. 20. Hermoso says she did not want to be kissed.
He has refused to resign even as the matter has spiralled into a national row over macho behaviour, women's rights and sexual abuse.
The RFEF, which has defended Rubiales, has called an urgent meeting on Monday to evaluate the situation.
Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz was also meeting on Monday with representatives of the women players' union FUTPRO, which represents Hermoso, and the Association of Spanish Footballers.
"What footballer Jenni Hermoso has experienced should never have happened," Diaz said in a video statement prior to the meeting.
Rubiales' cousin, Vanessa Ruiz, told reporters that the family was suffering and facing harassment over what she described as "unfair" premature judgements.
"We want to be left alone and justice to prevail...Jenni, we want you to tell the truth." Ruiz said.
She said his mother Angeles Bejar had gone on hunger strike and did not wish to leave the parish church of Divina Pastora in Rubiales' hometown in Motril, southern Spain.
Bejar told state news agency EFE her strike would last "until a solution is found to the inhumane and bloody hunt they are carrying out against my son with something he does not deserve".
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