Luis Rubiales has resigned from his position as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and vice president of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA).
Rubiales faced global scrutiny after kissing Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent in the post-match ceremony at the FIFA Women’s World Cup final.
In a statement posted on X (Twitter), Rubiales said the 90-day suspension from FIFA and the investigations against him has made it “evident that I will not be able to return to my position”.
“I must look forward, look to the future,” he said.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail.”
The caption of the post on X read: “I will defend my honorability. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth.”
After Spain won the FIFA Women’s World Cup against England 1-0, Rubiales grabbed Jenni Hermoso and pulled her in for a non-consensual kiss in front of a crowd of more than 75,000 and millions of people on television.
Rubiales responded to immediate criticisms surrounding his actions by calling anyone who thought his actions were inappropriate “idiots and stupid people”.
There were calls for Rubiales to resign from his role as president of the RFEF, to which he responded: “I will not resign! I will not resign! I will not resign!”
Since then, 58 of Spain’s top female soccer players have refused to play for Spain as long as the existing leadership remains in place, including Rubiales and the controversial Spanish coach, Jorge Vilda.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked what has been dubbed as Spain’s #MeToo movement, with a new hashtag, #SeAcabo (#ItsOver), circulating online and on the streets in rallies and protests.
In his statement, Rubiales called these movements targeting him “falsehoods” and “persecution”.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods,” he said.
“But it is also true that in the street, the truth is prevailing more every day.”
News presenter Piers Morgan interviewed Rubiales on TalkTV, where the former RFEF president announced his resignation. The full interview will be aired on Tuesday, but Morgan released a clip on Sunday night.
“I cannot continue my work,” he said.
“My father, my daughters, I spoke with them. They know it is not a question about me, some friends very close to me, and they say to me: Luis, now you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life. Probably you are going to damage people you love.”
Rubiales was elected president of RFEF in 2018 and has faced controversy throughout his term, including allegations of corruption in 2022.
On Wednesday last week, Jenni Hermoso filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales. If found guilty, the former RFEF president could face up to four years in prison under Spain’s sexual consent laws.