Spanish soccer federation president quits after kiss scandal which tarnished Spain’s victory on the Ladies’s World Cup.
Spanish Soccer Federation chief Luis Rubiales, engulfed in a scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to a participant on the Ladies’s World Cup group final month, says he’ll resign from his place as president.
Rubiales introduced his resignation in a press release on Sunday.
A Spanish prosecutor filed a criticism with the Excessive Courtroom in opposition to Rubiales final week for sexual assault and coercion over his kiss on the lips of Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales 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 Spain clinched their World Cup victory in Sydney on August 20.
“After the speedy suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the remainder of the proceedings opened in opposition to me, it’s clear that I will be unable to return to my place,” Rubiales mentioned in his assertion.
“Insisting on ready and clinging … shouldn’t be going to contribute something optimistic, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish soccer. Amongst different issues, as a result of there are de facto powers that can stop my return,” he added.
Rubiales, 46, is a former participant and head of Spain’s foremost gamers union, having run the federation since 2018. He mentioned he had additionally stepped down as vice chairman of the European soccer physique UEFA.
Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual however the case has sparked outrage amongst gamers and lots of in wider Spanish society.
He appeared to proceed to defend his model of occasions.
“I think about the reality and I’m going to do every little thing in my energy to make it prevail,” he mentioned.
“The feminist nation is advancing sooner and sooner,” Spain’s appearing Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X on Sunday after information of Rubiales’s resignation. “The transformation and enchancment of our lives is inevitable. We’re with you, Jenni, and with all girls.”
