BARCELONA: Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales quit his post on Sunday after three weeks of scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to a player on the women's national team as they celebrated their World Cup victory last month.
Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement in which he said his position had become untenable, with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) later confirming he had sent a resignation letter to acting president Pedro Rocha.
His kiss of player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup win in Sydney on Aug. 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.
A Spanish prosecutor filed a complaint with the High Court against Rubiales on Friday for sexual assault and coercion.
The complaint - which came after Hermoso opted earlier in the week to lodge a criminal complaint over the incident - describes 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.
"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," Rubiales said in his statement.
"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 added.
He said he had also stepped down as a vice president of European soccer body UEFA. He posted his statement on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
Reuters reached out to Hermoso's representative for comment on Rubiales' resignation, and they did not return the telephone call.
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.
Spanish government ministers, who had been solidly behind Hermoso and others calling for Rubiales to go, celebrated his departure.
"The feminist country is advancing faster and faster," Spain's acting Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz posted on X after news of Rubiales' resignation. "The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women."
"It's over," said Spain's Equality Minister Irene Montero.
The Spanish Football Federation said in a statement that Rubiales had resigned as its president and also as a vice-president of UEFA.
"This has been made known to the federal entity through a letter to (acting RFEF president) Pedro Rocha Junco," the RFEF statement said.
Spanish women's players union FUTPRO did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Although he stepped down as boss of the federation, Rubiales continued to defend his version of events.
A message posted with his statement on Sunday said, "I will defend my honour. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth.".
In an interview with journalist Piers Morgan on Sunday Rubiales added he made the decision to resign having talked with family and friends.
"Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and continue your life. (Otherwise) you will probably be hurting more people you love and the sport you love," he quoted them as saying.
Reuters
Mon Sep 11 2023
![Soccer - Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales quits in kiss scandal Soccer - Spain's soccer chief Luis Rubiales quits in kiss scandal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/51693186375_LuisRubiales.jpg)
Luis Rubiales announced his resignation, confirming he had sent a resignation letter to acting president Pedro Rocha. - REUTERS/Filepic
![Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720357336_TuankuMuhrizATM.jpg)
Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja
Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir berkenan menyempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 RSDPMB.
![Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720357777_lemassungai.jpg)
Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai
Pasangan suami isteri serta anak lelaki mereka berusia tiga tahun nyaris lemas selepas kereta jenis Proton Pesona dinaiki mereka terbabas ke dalam sungai di Jalan Kangar-Alor Setar.
![KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024 KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720355095_KejohananUniversit.jpg)
KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024
KPT merakamkan ucapan tahniah kepada kontinjen negara yang berjaya melepasi sasaran 35 pingat emas dan menduduki tempat ketiga negara terbaik pada kejohanan Sukan Universiti ASEAN (AUG) 2024.
![Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710238310_denggi.jpg)
Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes
Demam denggi melanda beberapa bahagian di negeri selatan India, Karnataka, dengan hampir tujuh orang disyaki meninggal dunia akibat penyakit itu dan lebih 7,000 kes direkodkan.
![Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024 Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720360503_TBSkuasy.jpg)
Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024
Gandingan adik beradik, Aifa Azman-Aira Azman menepati ramalan apabila bergelar juara beregu wanita Kejohanan Skuasy Beregu Asia 2024.
![Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720350205_TBMadani.jpg)
Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi
Program MADANI Rakyat (PMR) 2024 Zon Timur di Dataran Sayangi Kuantan melabuhkan tirai hari ini dengan mencatatkan jumlah pengunjung tertinggi dalam tiga siri penganjurannya iaitu jumlah pengunjung me
AWANI 7:45 [07/07/2024] - Peringatan Agong | Usah korban jati diri demi kuasa | Isu buli siber jadi tumpuan | Nasib berbeza dua 'gergasi' bola sepak
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Syaff Shukri;
1. Agong ingatkan, jangan jadikan media sosial tempat buka aib
2. Jangan korban jati diri untuk kuasa dan populariti, pesan Sultan Kedah
3. Belum ada jaminan BN dan PH kerjasama hadapi PRU16
4. England gembira, Brazil berduka, nasib berbeza dua gergasi bola sepak
1. Agong ingatkan, jangan jadikan media sosial tempat buka aib
2. Jangan korban jati diri untuk kuasa dan populariti, pesan Sultan Kedah
3. Belum ada jaminan BN dan PH kerjasama hadapi PRU16
4. England gembira, Brazil berduka, nasib berbeza dua gergasi bola sepak
![1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini 1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720353771_AdlyZahari.jpg)
1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini
Kementerian Pertahanan menyasarkan 1,400 veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) menyertai Program Veteran Desa Madani (VDM) seluruh negara tahun ini.
![Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720350017_TBZahidHamidi.jpg)
Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid
Kekalahan calon Pakatan Harapan (PH) pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sungai Bakap di Pulau Pinang semalam bukanlah penamat kepada gabungan parti dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan khus
Pentas jual anugerahkan pakej media bernilai RM55,600
Jelajah JIWA SME 2024 melabuhkan tirai untuk siri pertama di Johor Bahru. Pemyampai Astro AWANI, Irfan Faruqi membawakan perinciannya.
![FIFA gantung Luis Rubiales tiga tahun gara-gara kucup pemain wanita FIFA gantung Luis Rubiales tiga tahun gara-gara kucup pemain wanita](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71698736434_LuisRubiales.jpg)
FIFA gantung Luis Rubiales tiga tahun gara-gara kucup pemain wanita
FIFA menggantung bekas presiden Persatuan Bolasepak Sepanyol, selama tiga tahun daripada sebarang aktiviti berkaitan bola sepak.
![Piala Dunia Wanita: Rubiales enggan mohon maaf atas tindakan cium Hermoso Piala Dunia Wanita: Rubiales enggan mohon maaf atas tindakan cium Hermoso](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61694572725_LuisRubiales.jpg)
Piala Dunia Wanita: Rubiales enggan mohon maaf atas tindakan cium Hermoso
Rubiales sebaliknya terus mengekalkan ciuman itu 'telah dipersetujui'.
![Luis Rubiales letak jawatan Presiden Persekutuan Bola Sepak Sepanyol Luis Rubiales letak jawatan Presiden Persekutuan Bola Sepak Sepanyol](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/81694384462_TBLuisRubiales.jpg)
Luis Rubiales letak jawatan Presiden Persekutuan Bola Sepak Sepanyol
Rubiales berkata keputusan itu dicapai selepas berbincang dengan ahli keluarga dan kenalan rapat.
![Jenni Hermoso buat aduan rasmi terhadap ciuman Luis Rubiales Jenni Hermoso buat aduan rasmi terhadap ciuman Luis Rubiales](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51694050349_TBJenniferHermoso.jpg)
Jenni Hermoso buat aduan rasmi terhadap ciuman Luis Rubiales
Rubiales mendakwa ciuman itu atas kerelaan kedua-dua belah pihak namun beliau telah digantung oleh Persekutuan Bola Sepak Dunia (FIFA).
![Sepanyol pecat ketua jurulatih Piala Dunia Wanita Sepanyol pecat ketua jurulatih Piala Dunia Wanita](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/81693965898_tbJorgeVilda.jpg)
Sepanyol pecat ketua jurulatih Piala Dunia Wanita
Vilda merupakan satu-satunya anggota kejurulatihan pasukan kebangsaan wanita itu yang tidak meletak jawatan.
![Cium pemain: FIFA gantung presiden bola sepak Sepanyol Cium pemain: FIFA gantung presiden bola sepak Sepanyol](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/51693116019_jennihermoso.jpg)
Cium pemain: FIFA gantung presiden bola sepak Sepanyol
Luis Rubiales digantung sementara oleh FIFA berikutan tingkah laku presiden Persekutuan Bola Sepak Sepanyol (RFEF) itu dalam perlawanan akhir Piala Dunia Wanita minggu lalu.
![FIFA mulakan prosiding tindakan disiplin ke atas Rubiales FIFA mulakan prosiding tindakan disiplin ke atas Rubiales](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71692920454_TBFifa.jpg)
FIFA mulakan prosiding tindakan disiplin ke atas Rubiales
FIFA telah memulakan prosiding tindakan disiplin ke atas Presiden Persekutuan Bola Sepak Sepanyol, Luis Rubiales.
![Presiden Bola Sepak Sepanyol minta maaf cium bintang Piala Dunia Wanita Presiden Bola Sepak Sepanyol minta maaf cium bintang Piala Dunia Wanita](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/81692670065_WWCup.jpg)
Presiden Bola Sepak Sepanyol minta maaf cium bintang Piala Dunia Wanita
Luis Rubiales dirakam mencium bibir Jenni Hermoso ketika upacara penyerahan pingat di Sydney.
![Sepanyol pecat Lopetegui di ambang Piala Dunia Sepanyol pecat Lopetegui di ambang Piala Dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-06/61528937508_JulenLopeteguiSpain.jpg)
Sepanyol pecat Lopetegui di ambang Piala Dunia
Presiden Persekutuan Bolasepak Diraja Sepanyol (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, mengesahkan pemecatan itu dalam sidang media di Krasnodar, pada Rabu.