Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President, Luis Rubiales, has resigned his position over allegations of an unwanted kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s women won the World Cup.
Rubiales, on Sunday, September 10, 2023, announced his resignation in a statement in which he said his position had become untenable.
The RFEF later confirmed he had sent a resignation letter to the acting president, Pedro Rocha.
His kiss of Hermoso after the World Cup win in Sydney on August 20 had caused outrage among players, government officials, and many in wider Spanish society and raised questions over sexism in sport.
His decision to go came after further blows to his position in the last few days.
READ ALSO: FIFA suspends Spanish FA president for kissing female player
A Spanish prosecutor filed a complaint with the High Court against Rubiales on Friday for sexual assault and coercion.
The complaint came after Hermoso opted earlier in the week to lodge a criminal complaint over the incident.
It described how Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the mouth “without her consent” while holding her head with both hands after Spain defeated England to clinch the World Cup.
Rubiales has said the kiss was mutual and consensual and had until Sunday defied calls from players, government officials, and others for him to resign.
Rubiales had also been suspended for three months from all football activities by FIFA pending an investigation by soccer’s world governing body into his actions.
He said in his statement: “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.
“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 said he had also stepped down as a vice president of European soccer body, UEFA.
Hermoso, Spain’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals, currently plays at Mexican top-tier side Pachuca, where she moved in June 2022 following her second spell at Barcelona.
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