Luis Rubiales has refused to directly apologise to Jenni Hermoso over the kiss that ultimately forced his resignation as Spanish football federation president. In an interview with Piers Morgan on Talk TV, Rubiales instead continued to maintain the kiss was “consensual” and went on to suggest that the negative publicity over the affair had been “created by spurious arguments and people”. Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement posted on his unverified X account – formerly Twitter – on Sunday evening, having already been suspended by FIFA pending an investigation into his behaviour. Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation after Spain’s victory over England in last month’s World Cup final. Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual and has submitted a complaint to the national prosecutor’s office. “What happened is bad for everyone,” Rubiales responded when asked by Morgan if he would apologise directly to Hermoso. “We had Jenni lifting me. We had the fleeting kiss, two tenths of a second, but what was created from that is crazy. So what’s left for me is to defend my dignity. So it’s not about that (the apology) Piers, it’s about humility.” So what we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened Luis Rubiales Asked again if he wished to apologise, Rubiales continued: “So what we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened. “This has turned out to be a snowball created by spurious arguments and people. My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 per cent non-sexual. “There was no harm, no sexual content, no aggression, nothing like that. As president, once again, I will say… the significance of the kiss to Jenni would have been exactly the same as a kiss to one of my daughters. Between friends and family, that’s very, very common.” Rubiales has been widely condemned for his behaviour following the final, when as well as kissing Hermoso he also grabbed his crotch in celebration while standing alongside Spain’s Queen Letizia and 16-year-old Princess Infanta Sofia in the VIP box. Despite issuing a general apology for his actions in a video statement issued the next day, Rubiales persistently refused to resign in the wake of a mounting revolt which saw 81 players, including every member of the World Cup-winning squad, indicating their unavailability for the national team squad while he remained in his post. On August 26 he was banned by FIFA from all football-related activities for an initial period of 90 days, while Spain manager Jorge Vilda – about whom concerns over his coaching methods had been expressed – was sacked. Despite continuing to stress that his kiss with Hermoso was “mutual”, Rubiales did acknowledge that it was a “mistake” that was not befitting of his role as Spanish FA president. “Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake and I apologised in a sincere manner,” added Rubiales. “I was very happy, I felt like another player. I have apologised unreservedly, that is not the actions of the president of the association. “Because a president can’t behave that way towards the executives at the game on the podium, yes, a president can give a hug, but needs to act in a more diplomatic and colder way.” :: Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored, Monday to Thursday on TalkTV at 8pm. Available on Sky 522, Sky Glass 508, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237 and Freesat 217 as well as on DAB, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV Plus, YouTube, the Talk.TV website and TalkTV iOS and Android apps.

Matthew Perry's special request he made for the final episode of Friends has resurfaced following the sad news of his death. In his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, released last year, the late actor revealed how he wanted to close out the show by saying the final line. "No one else will care about this except me,” Perry wrote. “So may I please have the last line?” he asked the producer. The finale of the hugely popular sitcom came in 2004 after 10 seasons, and the final scene saw Chandler and Monica (played by Perry and Courteney Cox) bid an emotional farewell to their empty purple apartment as they were joined by Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Ross (David Schwimmer). Before Chandler and Monica leave the city for the suburbs to start family life with their newborn twins, Rachel suggests the group grab a final cup of coffee. That's when Chandler's sarcastic humour shines through one last time to end the show on a light-hearted note. “Sure,” Chandler replied. “Where?” Of course, fans of the show know exactly where - the group's local coffee shop Central Perk which had been one of the iconic backdrops of the series. “I got to bring the curtain down on Friends,” Perry wrote. “I love the look on Schwimmer’s face as I deliver that line — it’s the perfect mixture of affection and amusement, exactly what the show Friends had always given to the world.” Upon news of Perry being declared dead on October 28, aged 54, many Friends fans shared how Perry made this last line request. One person wrote: "It is incredibly bittersweet that Chandler had the last line in the final episode of Friends. Gonna miss Matthew Perry a lot." "Matthew Perry delivered the final line in Friends. And made one word into a final laugh. A talented man. RIP," another person said. Someone else added: "One of my favorite jokes in the show and the ultimate send-off." "This was the perfect last words on Friends,” a fourth person commented. “Inside joke was that the Central Perk set had already been taken down. The cast of Friends released a statement, following the tragic news of Perry's death. "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just castmates. We are a family,” it read. "There is so much to say, but right now we're going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time we will say more, as and when we are able. "For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty's family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world". How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Former NFL player Sergio Brown appeared to post on social media two days after his mother’s body was found in a creek behind her home in Illinois. The Maywood Police Department said an investigation is underway into the death of 73-year-old Myrtle Brown after it was determined that she was murdered. Authorities have yet to locate Mr Brown, who was reported missing along with his slain mother after they failed to answer calls from family members. On Tuesday evening, an account linked to Mr Brown made a second post on Instagram stories referencing the movie Finding Nemo. Mr Brown is seen rambling and laughing on the post. He also appears to be mocking reports that he is “missing.” “Just keep swimming. Missing? What the f*** is going on?” he is heard saying. The former NFL star had previously posted another story showing erratic behaviour and claiming he had been kidnapped by law enforcement. “I thought my f****** mama was on vacation in Sinaloa. That’s f****** fake news,” he said. “Get the f*** out of my goddamn face. She’s retired, and you want to come to me? The FBI had to do it. They have some power to do some s*** like that. What the f*** is going on? That’s fake news.” Relatives of Mr Brown and his mother contacted authorities on Saturday after they couldn’t get in touch with them for over 72 hours. Myrtle’s sister Sheila Simmons told WGN-TV that she had last spoken with her on 14 September and neither she nor Mr Brown were answering calls. The Maywood Police Department then launched a missing persons investigation. Later on Sunday, family members and authorities found Myrtle’s dead body in the Addison Creek Reservoir, less than 100 yards from her home. The Cook County Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Myrtle’s death was a homicide. According to records obtained by WGTV, she died from multiple unspecified assault injuries. “We’re going to find out what happened because it’s not normal for my sister to not answer her phone, not to respond to text messages,” Ms Simmons told the outlet about her sister’s death. “People have been reaching out to her since Friday. No one was able to reach her. Now, I got the call this morning saying that she’s missing, so immediately I came out here and find out my sister is dead.” Carlos Cortez, a neighbour of Myrtle Brown’s, told WBBM that family members had told him Mr Brown had not been acting like himself lately but did not elaborate on what type of behaviour had given that impression. “They said he wasn’t himself the last few months. He was out of his mind,” Mr Cortez told the outlet. Mr Cortex also said that he had given authorities Ring doorbell video, in which Mr Brown is reportedly seen burning his mother’s clothes. The Maywood Police Department declined to comment on the allegations when reached out by The Independent. Anyone with information regarding Myrtle Brown’s murder or Sergio Brown’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Maywood Police Department Anonymous Tip Line at 708-450-1787. Read More Missing ex-NFL player Sergio Brown ‘posts video rant’ on Instagram after mother found dead: Latest updates Missing ex-NFL star posts bizarre Instagram about police and FBI after mother found dead in creek Ex-NFL star Sergio Brown and his mother went missing. Police say she was murdered and he has yet to be found

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