Spain’s soccer chief Rubiales resigns after scandal caused by kiss on player’s lips

Federation president admits he ‘cannot continue’ his work, claims ‘excessive persecution,’ after Jenni Hermoso filed sexual assault lawsuit over incident at Women’s World Cup final

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kisses Spain's  Jennifer Hermoso after Spain's victory in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, August 20, 2023. (Hermoso was wearing teammate Alexia Putellas’ No.11 shirt.) (Twitter screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kisses Spain's Jennifer Hermoso after Spain's victory in the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, August 20, 2023. (Hermoso was wearing teammate Alexia Putellas’ No.11 shirt.) (Twitter screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales resigned from his post on Sunday because of the scandal caused by his kiss on the lips of a Women’s World Cup player.

The already-suspended chief sent his resignation to the federation’s interim president, he said in an open letter, and also explained his decision to eventually step down in a television interview.

“I’m going to [resign], yes, because I cannot continue my work,” Rubiales told the television show “Piers Morgan Uncensored.”

“[Family and friends] say to me ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and continue your life. If not, you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love.'”

Rubiales, 46, sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.

After he refused to resign, FIFA provisionally suspended him for 90 days, while Spanish public prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for sexual assault and coercion earlier this week.

Hermoso, 33, filed a complaint at the National Court last week, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

In an open letter published by Rubiales on Sunday night, he said he had informed the federation he was also stepping down as a vice-president of European soccer governing body UEFA.

“After the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the procedures opened against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” said Rubiales in the letter.

“Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither for the federation nor for Spanish soccer. Among other things, because there are powers-that-be that will prevent my return.”

RFEF President Luis Rubiales delivers a speech during an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish soccer federation in Las Rozas de Madrid, on August 25, 2023. (Eidan RUBIO / RFEF / AFP)

Rubiales, who insists the kiss was consensual, said he did not want Spanish soccer to be hurt by “such a disproportionate campaign” against him.

“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails,” he wrote.

Rubiales said his departure would contribute “stability” to the 2030 men’s World Cup bid in which Spain is involved.

The chief’s mother Angeles Bejar went on a hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son, locking herself in a church on August 28.

However, two days later she was taken to hospital because she was feeling unwell.

Spain’s midfielder Jennifer Hermoso reacts after failing to score a penalty shot during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup final soccer match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20, 2023. (STEVE CHRISTO / JIJI PRESS / AFP)

‘Excessive persecution’

“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered from the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods,” added Rubiales in his letter. “But it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”

Spanish politicians quickly responded to Rubiales’s decision.

“The feminist country is advancing faster and faster,” said second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

“The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”

Spain’s equality minister Irene Montero wrote “It’s Over” on X, a slogan used by Hermoso and her fellow players in protest against Rubiales.

Over 80 players went on strike from the women’s side in protest after Rubiales’s fierce defensive speech following the incident, in which he railed against “false feminism” and said he would not step down.

The players said they would not return until the leadership of the RFEF (Spanish soccer federation) was changed — controversial women’s coach Jorge Vilda was sacked on Tuesday.

The RFEF, under interim president Pedro Rocha, also apologized for the “totally unacceptable behavior” of Rubiales.

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales carrying Spain’s Athenea del Castillo Beivide on his shoulder as they celebrate winning the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup final soccer match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, August 20, 2023. (DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Vilda’s former assistant Montserrat Tome is the new coach — it is the first time a woman has led the team.

Spain’s women’s team is due to play Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26, respectively.

Meanwhile, Spanish prosecutors’ lawsuit against Rubiales will be analyzed by a National Court judge.

If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation which will end with a recommendation for the case to either go to trial or be dismissed.

Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, has said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault,” with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part.”

She has also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak out in his defense immediately after the scandal over the kiss erupted, which prosecutors said could be considered a crime of coercion.

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