This is the end of an affair which lasted three weeks and whose epilogue seemed inevitable. Sunday evening, Luis Rubiales, who had given a forced kiss to the international Jennifer Hermoso, after the world title of the Spanish players, on August 20, announced his resignation from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) .
In a statement shared on his social media, Rubiales said he “ presented, at 9:30 p.m., my resignation to the current president, Mr. Pedro Rocha, as president of the Spanish Football Federation. As well as that of vice-president of UEFA. »
The now ex-president of the RFEF, from May 2018 to September 2023, recognized that he ultimately had no other way out. ” After the rapid suspension of FIFA (90 days, August 26), plus the rest of the proceedings opened against me, it is obvious that I could no longer return to my positionhe said. Continuing to wait and hang on will not generate anything positive, neither for the Federation nor for Spanish football. Because there are, among other things, certain forces that will prevent my return. »
Vilified by civil society and pressured to resign by the political power in place, Luis Rubiales is the subject of a complaint before the criminal justice system for “ sexual assault » and another before the sporting justice for “ abuse of authority “. He is also awaiting the decision of the FIFA disciplinary committee, following his inappropriate behavior during the world title of the Spanish women’s team.
(Oscar J. Barroso/Press Sports)
Firm in his position since the start of the affair and affirming in particular that his kiss had been consented to by Hermoso, the former Spanish leader had nevertheless, to everyone’s surprise, refused to resign from his post during the general assembly extraordinary session of the RFEF, on August 25th.
He explains his change of heart, in particular, in a desire to protect those close to him. ” My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution and many lies. “, he lamented.
In a two-hour television interview given Sunday evening to English journalist Piers Morgan, Rubiales also claimed that it was those close to him who pushed him to resign. ” Yes, I am resigned because I can no longer continue my workdid he declare. I spoke with my father, my daughters and some very close friends. They told me that I needed to focus on my dignity and move on with my life because otherwise I was probably going to hurt people and the sport that I love. It was the smartest thing I had to do. »
Luis Rubiales is now fully focused on the legal deadlines that await him. ” I would defend my honor and my innocence. I have faith in the future and in the truth “, he assured on his account X.