Spanish federation soccer president Luis Rubiales resigns over kiss scandal
MADRID — Suspended Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales has resigned from his post after a kiss scandal that tarnished Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup.
Rubiales announced his resignation Sunday in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“After my swift suspension by FIFA, and the rest of the cases building against me, it is clear that I cannot return to the post,” Rubiales said in his statement.
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney.
Spanish prosecutors have accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player without her consent at the Women’s World Cup final.
Spanish state prosecutors accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the final, the country’s prosecutors’ office said Friday, two days after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault.
He had already been suspended from his job by FIFA for his conduct at the final.
Rubiales also will resign as UEFA vice president.
Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha — who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. 26 — of his resignation late Sunday night.
Rubiales, 46, is a former player and head of Spain’s main players union. He had run the federation since 2018.
Also Sunday, Rubiales said “I am going to (resign), I cannot continue my work,” in reply to a question from TV host Piers Morgan on Britain’s TalkTV. Clips from the show were released Sunday.
