Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish football federation, finally resigns – Liberation

2023-09-11 07:15:41

2023 Rugby World Cup in FrancefileSuspended by Fifa and in the sights of justice for having forcibly kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso after the World Cup final, the official announced his resignation on Sunday September 10 evening. He also relinquishes his post as vice-president of UEFA.

It took three long weeks. Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who caused international indignation for having forcibly kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso after the world coronation of “Roja”, announced on Sunday evening September 10 his resignation. “About my resignation, yes, I will do it, yes, because I cannot continue my work,” he said in English in an interview with British television journalist Piers Morgan. Rubiales added that those close to him told him: “Luis, you have to worry about your dignity and get on with your life. Otherwise, you will hurt the people you love and the sport you love.”

The Spanish Football Federation has confirmed. “He informed the federation in a letter addressed to Pedro Rocha Junco (interim president). He also resigned from his position as vice-president of UEFA,” the RFEF said in a statement. It will now begin a process to appoint Rubiales’ replacement.

On August 20, minutes after the women’s “Roja” world title in Sydney, the 46-year-old Spanish football boss kissed Jenni Hermoso on the mouth by surprise, sparking outrage in Spain and across the world. world. Refusing to resign for “a little consensual kiss”, he attacked, during a resounding speech on August 25, a supposed “false feminism” and argued that he had obtained the player’s authorization before kissing her. A version denied by Jenni Hermoso who said she “felt vulnerable and victim […] of an impulsive and sexist act, inappropriate and without any consent on (his) part”.

“What all Spanish citizens asked of him”

On the social network had also used to express their protest. “The feminist country is moving faster and faster,” said Yolanda Diaz, second deputy prime minister of the Spanish government. “Transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women,” she added on X.

“The former president of the RFEF did what he had to do, I think that’s what all Spanish citizens asked of him”, commented the Secretary of State for Sports, Victor Francos, at the microphone of radio Cadena Ser.

In his resignation letter, Rubiales says he acted with the concern to protect Spanish football but again defends himself from attacking the 33-year-old international. “Following the rapid suspension of Fifa and the procedures opened against me, it is obvious that I will not be able to regain my position,” he wrote in this letter. “I don’t want Spanish football to be able to suffer the damage of this disproportionate campaign” launched, according to him, against him, he said again. “I trust the truth and will do everything in my power to ensure it prevails.”

Towards the end of the players’ strike?

Suspended by Fifa for a period of 90 days, Rubiales also risks being prosecuted for “sexual assault” by the Spanish courts, the prosecution having demanded his indictment on Friday after receiving a complaint from Jennifer Hermoso. Since a recent reform of the Spanish Penal Code, a non-consensual kiss can be considered sexual assault, a criminal category bringing together all types of sexual violence. According to a spokesperson for the prosecution, the penalty incurred by Luis Rubiales ranges from a fine to four years in prison.

This affair plunged Spanish football into chaos in the midst of its bid to host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, and overshadowed the world title of the women’s national team. Criticized by his players, coach Jorge Vilda, close to Rubiales, was sacked on Tuesday by the federation and replaced by his former assistant, Montse Tomé. The first woman to lead the women’s selection, Montse Tomé will have to quickly convince the 23 world champions to end their strike while the next international matches will take place on September 22 and 26.