Luis Rubiales resigns as Spanish FA president over Jenni Hermoso kiss
By PA Sport staff
Luis Rubiales has announced he has resigned as Spanish football federation president following the controversy over him kissing Jenni Hermoso.
Rubiales kissed the player on the lips during the trophy presentation after Spainâs victory over England in last monthâs World Cup final, but Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual.
FIFA suspended Rubiales pending an investigation into his behaviour, and Hermoso submitted a complaint to the national prosecutorâs office on Wednesday which is now with Spainâs high court.
In a statement on his unverified X account on Sunday evening, Rubiales said he had informed Pedro Rocha, who has been acting as RFEF president while he was suspended, that he was resigning, with the same applying to his position as a UEFA vice-president.
The 46-year-old wrote: âAfter the rapid suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of proceedings open against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position.
âInsisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football.â
He added: âI have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail.
âMy daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.â
A clip of Rubiales being interviewed by Piers Morgan has also been released, in which he said: âAbout my resignation â yes, I am going to do (it). Of course I cannot continue my work.
âMy father, my daughters, I spoke with themâŠand some friends very close to me, and they say to me âLuis, now you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life, because if not, probably you are going to damage people you love, and the sport you loveâ
âIn this situation now, (it is) the thing I have to do.â