Luis Rubiales has been under intense pressure since he kissed Spain international Jennifer Hermoso during the World Cup gold celebrations after the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Rubiales has previously apologized for his behavior – and now he chooses to resign.
“I can’t continue,” he says in the interview with the British presenter.
Investigated by prosecutors
46-year-old Rubiale’s announcement comes after Hermoso chose to report him for sexual abuse. A Spanish prosecutor is investigating the case.
— Friends and family have told me that I must maintain my integrity, says Rubiales.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rubiales writes that he also intends to quit as vice president of the European football association Uefa.
“I have to look forward, defend myself and maintain my innocence. I believe the truth will come out and I will do everything in my power to win. My daughters and my family have been affected by this,” writes Rubiales.
Earlier this summer, Rubiale’s mother went on hunger strike to support her son. She has called the uproar an “inhumane and bloody hunt”.
Harsh criticism
At the end of August, the international football confederation Fifa announced that Rubiales was suspended from all football-related activity for 90 days. The Spanish government has called for him to be investigated by a sports court and sports minister Victor Francos has been clear that he thinks Rubiales should resign.
But it is not only at home in Spain that Rubiales has received harsh criticism for the kiss.
Around the football world, profiles have called for his resignation.
— It is terrible, unacceptable. I don’t understand how that can happen. To me it feels very strange. I want the whole world to react and for something to happen, Swedish midfielder Caroline Seger told TT.
No consent
It was in connection with the Spanish players getting their gold medals after the World Cup final victory against England (1–0) that Rubiales kissed the star player Hermoso on the mouth. He hugged all the players and kissed several of them on the cheek.
After the measure, a wild debate flared up. Rubiales apologized, but said in a lengthy speech at the Spanish Football Association’s general meeting that he did not intend to resign. The speech sparked a series of strong reactions and in a statement from the Spanish women’s national team, Hermoso said she did not consent to the kiss.
Recently, the Spanish national team captain Jorge Vilda was also fired.