BBC forced to apologise after making big blunder involving Spain FA chief Luis Rubiales
The BBC have apologised after a mistake involving Spain FA chief Luis Rubiales
BBC
The BBC have made a blunder while reporting on Spain FA chief Luis Rubiales.
The 46-year-old was recently criticised after kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso following La Roja's 1-0 win over England in the final of the Women's World Cup.
Rubiales has refused to quit his role, though FIFA are investigating the Spaniard - who also grabbed his crotch in front of the royal family.
And the BBC made a blunder while reporting on the 46-year-old over the weekend.
Luis Rubiales is under pressure after Spain beat England in the Women's World Cup final
PA
Instead of showing Rubiales, the broadcaster accidentally aired footage of their own pundit, former Manchester City star Pablo Zabaleta.
BBC reporter Lewis Vaughan Jones has introduced a news bulletin to discover the news that the Spanish FA had called for an emergency meeting to discuss their president.
But while the segment included footage of Rubiales kissing Hermoso, it then switched to a clip of Zabaleta walking alongside a colleague.
Both men look similar due to their lack of hair on their heads.
Yet the footage of Zabaleta was from last year, with the FIFA and Qatar logos visible in the background.
Comedian Omid Djalili noticed the mistake and took to social media to say: "Dear @BBCNews you have mistakenly added footage of ex Man City full back Pablo Zabaleta in your piece about Rubiales tonight.
"You need to make a correction immediately."
The BBC then issued an apology, saying: "A production error meant we showed the wrong image in an earlier broadcast.
"This has now been rectified."
Rubiales, speaking on Friday, insisted he wouldn't quit after his kiss on Hermoso - despite the Spain star saying she didn't like the incident.
"Do you think this [incident] is so serious that I should go, after the best management in the history of Spanish football?" he said.
"Let me tell you: I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to resign.
"I've come under a lot of pressure. Perhaps somebody will look to remove me on Monday.
"But we live in a country of laws. Is a consensual kiss enough to remove me? I'm going to fight until the end.
"I hope the law is followed, and that as there's no reason to [remove me], it won't happen."
Rubiales' mother, Angeles Bejar, has gone on hunger strike in protest over the treatment of her son - while locking herself in a church in Motril.
She's said she won't stop until the authorities find a solution to the 'inhuman and bloody hunt they are conducting against my son with something he doesn't deserve'.
She also stated that she would remain in the church 'day and night' and was on strike 'indefinitely' until she feels justice is done.
Rubiales' cousin Vanessa Ruiz, who acts as a family spokesperson in Motril, said: "We are suffering a lot for him. He has been judged before his time.
"They (media) don't stop harassing us. We had to leave our house.
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The BBC used footage of Pablo Zabaleta instead of Spain chief Luis Rubiales
PA
"We want them to leave us alone and for Jenni to tell the truth. It's not fair."
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