Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, resigned after receiving harsh criticism for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the Women’s World Cup victory ceremony.
In an interview with “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” the 46-year-old said, “I’m going to (resign) because I cannot continue my work.
“Luis, you need to concentrate on your dignity and carry on with your life, (family and friends) say to me. If not, you’ll hurt the people and sport you care about. ‘“.
On August 20, during the medal ceremony in Sydney following Spain’s World Cup victory, Rubiales forcibly kissed midfielder Hermoso, setting off a global backlash.
FIFA temporarily suspended him for 90 days after he refused to resign, and Spanish public prosecutors have sued him for alleged sexual assault and coercion.
The National Court received a formal complaint on Tuesday from Hermoso, 33, accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.
Rubiales stated in an open letter that he had informed the federation that in addition to his resignation from the federation, he was also resigning as a vice-president of the governing body of European football, UEFA.
In the letter, Rubiales stated, “It is evident that I will not be able to return to my position after the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the other procedures opened against me.
“Neither the federation nor Spanish football will benefit from insisting on waiting and clinging to it in a positive way.
“Among other things, because there are forces at work that will keep me from coming back”
Rubiales said he did not want “such a disproportionate campaign” against him to harm Spanish football because he is adamant that the kiss was consensual.
He declared, “I believe in the truth, and I will exert all reasonable efforts to see that it triumphs.
Rubiales claimed that Spain’s bid to host the 2030 men’s World Cup would benefit from “stability” following his departure.
Angeles Bejar, Rubiales’ mother, went on a hunger strike and barricaded herself in a church in protest as the pressure to resign grew in recent weeks
Rubiales’ downfall was praised by some Spanish politicians.
On social media website X, formerly Twitter, second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz declared, “We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”
The phrase “It’s Over” was written on X by Spain’s equality minister Irene Montero in retaliation for Hermoso and her teammates’ use of Rubiales.
After Rubiales’ vehement defense speech following the incident, in which he had railed against “false feminism” and stated he would not resign, over 80 players from the women’s team went on strike in protest.
The players declared that they would not come back until the RFEF’s (the Spanish football federation) management was changed.
Jorge Vilda, the contentious women’s coach, was fired on Tuesday as a result of the scandal.
The RFEF also expressed regret for Rubiales’ “totally unacceptable behavior” under interim president Pedro Rocha.
Montserrat Tome, a former assistant to Vilda, has taken over as the team’s new coach, making history as the first female to do so.
On September 22 and 26, respectively, Spain’s women’s team will play matches against Sweden and Switzerland in the Nations League.