Luis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation following criticism for kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony.
Rubiales said he had submitted his resignation to federation acting president Pedro Rocha as well as resigned from his position as vice-president of Uefa’s executive committee.
Rubiales’ statement read 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
The fallout from the kiss has engulfed Spanish football in recent weeks and overshadowed Spain’s World Cup win, with Rubiales ignoring repeated calls to resign.
Hermoso, said the kiss after Spain beat England was not consensual and she filed a legal complaint last Tuesday and on Friday, a prosecutor filed a complaint with Spain’s high court – following Hermoso’s testimony 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. He said he hoped his departure would boost Spain’s joint bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.
Some 81 Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, said they would not play for the national team again while Rubiales was in his position.
A high court judge will now assess the complaint and decide whether to accept or archive the request. If accepted, a magistrate will be assigned to lead an investigation, which will conclude either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.
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