Luis Rubiales announced his resignation as president of the Spanish Soccer Federation on Sunday following weeks of harsh criticism for his unwanted kiss with Women’s World Cup champion Jennifer Hermoso.
In a letter posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rubiales stated, “Today, I notified the interim president at 930 pm, Mr. Pedro Rocha, that I have resigned as President of RFEF.”
“I’ve also informed him that I’ve resigned from my position as UEFA vice president in order to allow for a replacement”, he added.
“To insist on waiting around,” he continued, “and holding onto that won’t contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because the powers that be will prevent my return.”
Rubiales’ resignation as president of the Spanish Football Association and vice president of UEFA was officially announced by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirms that Luis M. Rubiales Béjar has presented his resignation tonight,” RFEF said in a statement. “This has been made known to the federative entity through a letter to Pedro Rocha Junco. In addition, he also resigns from his position as vice president of UEFA.”
Now, the federation’s board of directors will hold a vote to select a replacement.
Rubiales vowed to clear his name” in order to combat what he called “excessive persecution.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything when it’s in my hands so that it prevails,” he wrote. “My daughters, my family and the people that love me have suffered the effects of an excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it’s also true that in the street, every day more, the truth is being imposed.”
Following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, Rubiales gave Hermoso an unwanted kiss, which sparked outrage in Spain and around the world. The 46-year-old previously expressed regret and claimed the kiss was “mutual”; Hermoso, who claimed she did not consent and was not respected, refuted this assertion.
FIFA, the world’s governing body, gave the Spaniard a 90-day provisional suspension during the course of a disciplinary investigation. During the interim, Pedro Rocha filled the position.
The Spanish government responded to Rubiales’ resignation on Sunday without delay.
The Spanish minister of equality, Irene Montero, reacted on X with two words: “It’s over.”
Spain’s second deputy prime minister,Yolanda Díaz also wrote on the platform, “The feminist country is advancing faster and faster. The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”
After Rubiales’ announcement, Hermoso made an appearance in Mexico as her team, CF Pachuca Femenil, honored the star in their first game following the World Cup triumph.
Before the game, she received a rousing ovation from the with a huge mural of her hanging in the stadium. Hermoso then put the World Cup medal around her neck and waved to the crowd.
“I think what (Rubiales) did was wrong and all the attention that they should have as champions went directly to him, and I think it’s right that he was removed from his position,” one fan at the match told the media.
Source-CNN
