Barca chief Laporta criticise Rubiales ahead of new suspension decision

Barcelona president Laporta said the football world was convinced Rubiales would step down last Friday, when he gave a defensive speech at an emergency RFEF meeting. "Barcelona energetically, emphatically, unconditionally stands with the players and in this case, Jenni Hermoso, who experienced the situation," said Laporta in a video published by the Catalan club.
"We were all convinced Mr. Rubiales would resign at the (RFEF) assembly, because we thought he had no other choice, given the circumstances. That wasn't the case and ... we are showing full respect for FIFA's decision to provisionally suspend him."
Criticism for Rubiales has gone far beyond the world of football. "I stand with Jenni Hermoso," American actress Natalie Portman posted on Instagram Sunday, among other dissenting voices.
In response to FIFA's suspension, the Spanish federation said Saturday Rubiales will defend himself "so the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven". The RFEF, under interim president Pedro Rocha, have called a new emergency meeting for Monday between presidents of the regional federations, a source close to the matter told 'AFP'.