Luis Rubiales resigns as Spanish soccer president after kiss scandal at World Cup

KATHMANDU: The Spanish Football Federation’s president, Luis Rubiales, has resigned after being chastised for kissing forward Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.

Last Tuesday, Hermoso, 33, filed a legal complaint alleging that the kiss was not consensual.

Despite Rubiales’ insistence that the kiss was consensual, FIFA, football’s governing body, provisionally suspended him. Rubiales published a statement on Monday, stating that he had submitted his resignation to the federation’s interim president, Pedro Rocha.

“I cannot continue my work,” he said, “after the suspension by FIFA, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.”

Furthermore, he has resigned from his post as vice-president of the UEFA executive committee. The Spanish football got contentious as a result of the kiss. It also cast a pall over Spain’s World Cup success.

If Rubiales remains in his position, 81 players, including the World Cup winner, have stated that they will not play for the national team. Rubiales was also condemned by politicians, football players, and celebrities.

Last Monday, a demonstration was organized at the federation’s offices, calling for his resignation. Sexual misbehaviour in Spain is punishable by punishment of up to four years in prison.