2023-09-10 23:30:15
In a letter published by national media on Sunday, Luis Moriales notified his resignation to the interim president of the Spanish Football Federation. Suspended after forcibly kissing a player, he says he refuses to allow this sport to suffer “the damage of this disproportionate campaign”.
Published on: 09/10/2023 – 11:30 p.m. Modified on: 09/10/2023 – 11:36 p.m.
3 mn
After weeks of controversy, the suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Luis Rubiales, finally gave up and announced his resignation on Sunday evening, September 10. He provoked international indignation for having forcibly kissed the player Jennifer Hermoso after the world coronation of the “Roja”.
“About my resignation, yes, I will, yes, because I cannot continue my work,” he said in English in an interview with English television journalist Piers Morgan.
Luis 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’re going to hurt the people you love and the sport you love.”
01:45
His resignation was notified at 9:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. GMT) to the interim president of the Federation, according to a letter signed by Rubiales and published by Spanish media.
“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 do not want Spanish football to suffer the damage of this disproportionate campaign” launched, according to him, against it, he said again. “I trust the truth and will do everything in my power to ensure it prevails.”
A welcome decision
“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.
On the social network 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. “The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women,” she added on X.
The feminist country is advancing faster and faster. The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all the women. ???? https://t.co/y79OkA8bW7
— Yolanda Diaz (@Yolanda_Diaz_) September 10, 2023
An indictment requested
On August 20, a few minutes after the women’s “Roja” world title in Sydney, the 48-year-old Spanish football boss kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth by surprise.
Suspended by Fifa for a period of 90 days, Rubiales also risks being prosecuted for “sexual assault” by the Spanish courts, the prosecution having requested 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.
A close relative sacked, a team to re-motivate
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.
Also read: Forced kiss scandal: a case that divides Spanish society
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.
With AFP
#Luis #Rubiales #leaves #presidency #Spanish #Football #Federation