(Barcelona) The suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, who caused international outrage for forcibly kissing the player Jennifer Hermoso after the world title of the “Roja”, announced Sunday evening his resignation.
“About my resignation, yes, I will, yes, because I cannot continue my job,” he said in English in an interview with British television journalist Piers Morgan.
Rubiales added that those close to him told him ““Luis, you need to worry about your dignity and move on with your life. Otherwise, you’re going to hurt the people you love and the sport you love.”
His resignation was notified at 9:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. EST) to the Interim Federation President, according to a letter signed by Rubiales and published by Spanish media, exactly three weeks after the case began.
The Spanish Football Federation has confirmed. “He informed the federation in a letter addressed to Pedro Rocha Junco (interim president). He also resigned from his position as UEFA vice-president,” the RFEF said in a statement.
It will now begin a process to appoint Rubiales’ replacement.
“The former president of the RFEF did what he had to do, I think that is what all Spanish citizens asked of him,” commented the Secretary of State for Sports, Victor Francos, at the microphone of radio Cadena Ser.
On the social network also used to express their protest.
“The feminist country is moving faster and faster,” said Yolanda Diaz, second deputy prime minister of the Spanish government. “The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women,” she added on X.
In his resignation letter, Rubiales says he acted with the concern to protect Spanish football but again defends himself from having attacked the international, aged 33.
“Following the rapid suspension from FIFA and the proceedings initiated against me, it is obvious that I will not be able to regain my position,” he wrote in the letter.
“I do not want Spanish football to suffer the damage from this disproportionate campaign” launched, according to him, against it, he said again. “I trust the truth and will do everything in my power to ensure it prevails. »
On August 20, a few minutes after the world title of the women’s “Roja” in Sydney, the 48-year-old Spanish football boss kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth by surprise, provoking indignation in Spain and across the country. world.
Refusing to resign for “a little consensual kiss”, he attacked, during a resounding speech on August 25, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he had obtained the player’s authorization before kissing her.
A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim […] of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent on (her) part”.
Suspended by FIFA for 90 days, Rubiales also risks being prosecuted for “sexual assault” by the Spanish courts, the prosecution having demanded his indictment on Friday after receiving a complaint from Jennifer Hermoso.
Since a recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category bringing together all types of sexual violence.
According to a spokesperson for the prosecution, the penalty incurred by Luis Rubiales ranges from a fine to four years in prison.
This affair plunged Spanish football into chaos in the midst of its bid to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, and overshadowed the world title of the women’s national team.
Criticized by his players, coach Jorge Vilda, close to Rubiales, was sacked on Tuesday by the federation and replaced by his former assistant, Montse Tomé.
His counterpart in the men’s team, Luis De la Fuente, for his part had to ask for “forgiveness” last week for having applauded, like many members of the federation, Rubiales’ speech on August 25.
The first woman to lead the women’s team, Montse Tomé will have to quickly convince the 23 world champions to end their strike while the next international matches will take place on September 22 and 26.