Luis Rubiales the Spanish Football Federation President has resigned following fierce and trolling criticism making headlines for his act of kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the Spanish Women’s victory in the just concluded World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Rubiales had been on suspension before he sent his resignation to the federation’s interim President on Monday, September 11, 2023.
He said in an open letter, “I’m going to (resign), yes, because I cannot continue my work,” the 46-year-old told the television show “Piers Morgan Uncensored”.
“(Family and friends) say to me, ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and continue your life. If not you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love.”

Luis Rubiales got hot criticism after kissing midfielder Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup victory in Sydney on August 20, 2023.

After he refused to resign at first, the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA suspended him for 90 days, while Spanish public prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for alleged sexual assault and coercion.

Hermoso, 33, had initially filed a complaint at the National Court to formally accuse Rubiales of sexual assault.

The players said they would not return until the leadership of the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) was changed.

The RFEF, under interim president Pedro Rocha, also apologised for the “totally unacceptable behaviour” of Rubiales.

Jorge Vilda, the Head Coach of the team was sacked and her assistant Montserrat Tome took charge as the new coach.

Spain’s women’s team is due to play Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26, 2023 respectively.
Spanish prosecutors’ lawsuit against Rubiales will be analysed by a National Court judge.

If the Judge accepts the request, a Magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation which will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.

Australian Police offered her willingness to help with an investigation, but the case had not yet been referred to them.

Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, has said the unwanted kiss left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part”.

She has also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak out in his defense immediately after the negative reactions over the kiss erupted, which Prosecutors said could be considered a crime of coercion.