The suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, who caused international indignation for having forcibly kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso after the world title of “Roja”, announced his resignation on Sunday evening.
“About my resignation, yes, I will do it, yes, because I cannot continue my work,” he said in English in an interview with English 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. (local time) to the interim president of the Federation, according to a letter signed by Rubiales and published by Spanish media.
“Following the rapid suspension of FIFA and the procedures opened against me, it is obvious that I will not be able to regain my position,” he wrote in this letter.
“I do not want Spanish football to suffer the damage of this disproportionate campaign” launched, according to him, against it, he said again.
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 lips 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 of [sa] go “.
Complaint for “sexual assault”
Suspended by FIFA for a period of 90 days, Rubiales also risks being prosecuted for “sexual assault” by the Spanish courts, the prosecution having requested 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 selection, Luis De la Fuente, for his part had to ask “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 selection, 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.