Luis Rubiales resigns as Spanish soccer president

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Spanish soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales has resigned after three weeks of scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to Jenni Hermoso as the ladies’s nationwide crew celebrated their World Cup victory final month.

Luis Rubiales introduced his resignation in a press release wherein he stated his place had turn out to be untenable, with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) later confirming he had despatched a resignation letter to appearing president Pedro Rocha.

His kiss on the lips of participant Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup win, in Sydney in August, had precipitated outrage amongst gamers, authorities officers and lots of in wider Spanish society and raised questions over sexism in sport.

His choice to go got here after additional blows to his place in the previous few days. A Spanish prosecutor filed a grievance with the High Court towards Rubiales on Friday for sexual assault and coercion.

Defenderé mi honorabilidad.
Defenderé mi inocencia.
Tengo Fe en el futuro.
Tengo Fe en la verdad.

Gracias a todos. 🇪🇸https://t.co/yS9rM1HBTm

— Luis Rubiales (@LuisRubiales17) September 10, 2023

The grievance – which got here after Hermoso opted earlier within the week to lodge a felony grievance over the incident – describes how Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the mouth “without her consent” whereas holding her head with each arms after Spain defeated England to clinch the World Cup.

Rubiales has stated the kiss was mutual and consensual, and had till Sunday defied calls from gamers, authorities officers and others for him to resign. He had additionally been suspended for 3 months from all soccer actions by FIFA pending an investigation by soccer’s world governing physique into his actions.

“After the rapid suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the proceedings opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position,” Rubiales stated in his assertion.

“Insisting on waiting and clinging … is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because there are de facto powers that will prevent my return,” he added.

He stated he had additionally stepped down as a vp of European soccer physique UEFA. He posted his assertion on X, the social media platform beforehand often known as Twitter.

Hermoso, Spain’s all-time prime scorer with 51 objectives, at present performs at Mexican top-tier aspect Pachuca, the place she moved in June 2022 following her second spell at Barcelona.

BREAKING: Luis Rubiales has sensationally resigned as President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation following the scandal over him kissing Spain’s Jenni Hermoso on the Women’s World Cup Final. He revealed the news in a world unique interview for ⁦@PiersUncensored⁩ pic.twitter.com/Kl2uQTOzqv

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 10, 2023

Spanish authorities ministers, who had been solidly behind Hermoso and others calling for Rubiales to go, celebrated his departure.

“The feminist country is advancing faster and faster,” Spain’s appearing Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X after news of Rubiales’ resignation. “The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”

“It’s over,” stated Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero.

The Spanish Football Federation stated in a press release that Rubiales had resigned as its president and likewise as a vice-president of UEFA.

“This has been made known to the federal entity through a letter to (acting RFEF president) Pedro Rocha Junco,” the RFEF assertion stated.

Spanish ladies’s gamers union FUTPRO didn’t instantly reply to Reuters’ request for remark.

Although he stepped down as boss of the federation, Rubiales continued to defend his model of occasions.

A message posted together with his assertion on Sunday stated, “I will defend my honour. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth.”

In an interview with journalist Piers Morgan on Sunday Rubiales added he made the choice to resign having talked with household and buddies.

“Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and continue your life. (Otherwise) you will probably be hurting more people you love and the sport you love.”