Spain’s soccer chief Luis Rubiales resigns after World Cup kiss scandal

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 staff final month, says he’ll resign from his place as president.
Rubiales introduced his resignation in an announcement on Sunday.
A Spanish prosecutor filed a grievance 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 fast suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the remainder of the proceedings opened in opposition to me, it’s clear that I won’t be able to return to my place,” Rubiales mentioned in his assertion.
“Insisting on ready and clinging … isn’t 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 may forestall my return,” he added.
Rubiales, 46, is a former participant and head of Spain’s important gamers union, having run the federation since 2018. He mentioned he had additionally stepped down as vp of the European soccer physique UEFA.
Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual however the case has sparked outrage amongst gamers and plenty of in wider Spanish society.
He appeared to proceed to defend his model of occasions.
“I place confidence in the reality and I’m going to do every part in my energy to make it prevail,” he mentioned.
“The feminist nation is advancing quicker and quicker,” Spain’s performing 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 ladies.”