Luis Rubiales resigns as president of Spain’s soccer organization following an unwelcome World Cup kiss
Luis Rubiales, the now-suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, announced his resignation on Sunday, following a weeks-long national scandal that began when he kissed soccer player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony on Aug. 20.
On September 6, Hermoso, who claimed the kiss was not consensual, formally accused Rubiales of sexual assault. State prosecutors in Spain later launched a lawsuit against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.
Rubiales announced his resignation on X (previously Twitter) and on Piers Morgan Uncensored, a British chat show hosted by television personality Piers Morgan.
“Many people believe you should step down as president. “What are your plans?” Morgan inquired of Rubiales, citing the “ferocious pressure” that had been placed on him, his family, and his two young daughters in recent weeks.
Yes, I’m going to,” Rubiales said. “‘Cause I cannot continue my work.” He said he consulted with his father, daughters and close friends before arriving at the decision.
This is now a matter of “not only me,” he stated.
“I will defend my honour.” “I will defend my innocence,” Rubiales said on social media, where he also issued a letter of resignation.
Rubiales was suspended from his position by FIFA on August 27, a day after he refused to resign during a belligerent speech to his federation’s general congress in which he depicted himself as a victim.
Luis Rubiales resigns as president of Spain’s soccer organization following an unwelcome World Cup kiss
He has described the outrage as a “witch hunt” by “false feminists” and asserted that the kiss was consensual, which Hermoso has directly disputed. Rubiales had previously refused to retire in the face of many ongoing probes into his behaviour.
According to the prosecutors’ office in Madrid, if proven guilty, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years under a sexual consent statute passed last year. The new law abolished the distinction between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” making any unconsented sexual behaviour legal.
The Spanish government, players’ unions, players, and many citizens have all backed Hermoso. Meanwhile, Rubiales has become a soccer outcast despite his refusal to resign.
