Luis Rubiales resigns as president of Spanish FA over Jenni Hermoso kiss
Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales has finally resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation following widespread backlash for kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony after Spain beat England 1-0.
Hermoso, 33, said the kiss was not consensual and she filed a legal complaint last Tuesday.
Rubiales told Piers Morgan on his TV show that he could not continue, and had submitted his resignation to federation acting president Pedro Rocha in a statement.
He has also resigned from his position as vice-president of Uefa’s executive committee.
Rubiales had fought weeks of calls for him to resign as the fallout from the incident has led to widespread backlash and overshadowed the win.
On Friday, a prosecutor filed a complaint with Spain’s high court – following Hermoso’s testimony on Tuesday – against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.
Rubiales claimed the kiss was “mutual and “consensual” but had been provisionally suspended by football’s world governing body Fifa.
“After the quick suspension carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” Rubiales’ statement read.
“Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football.”
He said he hopes his departure would boost Spain’s joint bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.
He added: “I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”
