![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/skysports-luis-rubiales-spain_6262512-696x392.jpg\" "\\"skysports-luis-rubiales-spain_6262512\\"\/")
<\/div>\nLuis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation following criticism for kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso at the Women\u2019s World Cup final presentation ceremony.<\/p>\n
Hermoso, 33, said the kiss after Spain beat England was not consensual and she\u00a0filed a legal complaint\u00a0last Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Rubiales said he had submitted his resignation to federation acting president Pedro Rocha in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot continue my work,\u201d he told Piers Morgan on his television show.<\/p>\n
The 46-year-old has also resigned from his position as vice-president of Uefa\u2019s executive committee.<\/p>\n
The fallout from the kiss has engulfed Spanish football in recent weeks and overshadowed Spain\u2019s World Cup win, with Rubiales ignoring repeated calls to resign.<\/p>\n
On Friday, a prosecutor filed a complaint with Spain\u2019s high court \u2013 following Hermoso\u2019s testimony on Tuesday \u2013 against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.<\/p>\n
Rubiales claimed the kiss was \u201cmutual and \u201cconsensual\u201d but had been provisionally suspended by football\u2019s world governing body Fifa.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the quick suspension carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,\u201d Rubiales\u2019 statement read.<\/p>\n
\u201cInsisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubiales said he hoped his departure would boost Spain\u2019s joint bid with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to prevail.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some 81 Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, said they would not play for the national team again while Rubiales was in his position.<\/p>\n
World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda \u2013 considered a close ally of Rubiales \u2013 was\u00a0sacked\u00a0on 5 September amid the scandal, with Montse Tome named as his successor.<\/p>\n
Politicians, footballers and celebrities have spoken out against Rubiales, while protesters gathered at the federation\u2019s headquarters last month to\u00a0demand his resignation.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s acting Labour minister, Yolanda Diaz,\u00a0posted on X\u00a0(formerly Twitter): \u201cThe feminist country is advancing faster and faster.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irene Montero, Spain\u2019s equality minister,\u00a0added:\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked by Morgan whether something in particular finally led him to resign, Rubiales said he spoke to his family and listened to the advice of friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father, my daughters, I spoke with them \u2013 they know it\u2019s not a question about me \u2013 and some friends very close to me said to me \u2018Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and to continue your life because if not, you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love\u2019,\u201d Rubiales said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a question of not only me. An attitude towards me can affect third parties [that are] very important. It was the intelligent thing that I had to do.\u201d<\/p>\n On Sunday, Hermoso received a warm welcome from supporters and team-mates of her domestic club, Pachuca, before their 2-1 win against Pumas in the Liga MX women\u2019s league in Mexico.<\/p>\n The 33-year-old unveiled a mural on the walls of the Hidalgo Stadium celebrating her achievements with Spain in the Women\u2019s World Cup, and was also given a framed jersey with her number 10 on it.<\/p>\n Hermoso\u2019s complaint was one of sexual assault but Marta Durantez Gil has also added an allegation of coercion when filing to the high court after the forward told the prosecutor her relatives had been pressured by Rubiales and his \u201cprofessional entourage\u201d to say she \u201cjustified and approved what happened\u201d.<\/p>\n It is now up to the court to present formal charges against Rubiales.<\/p>\n Prior to the kiss, Rubiales had been seen grabbing his crotch in the proximity of Queen Letizia and her daughter while celebrating Spain\u2019s 1-0 win over England in Sydney.<\/p>\n A high court judge will now assess the complaint and decide whether to accept or archive the request. If accepted, a magistrate will be assigned to lead an investigation, which will conclude either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.<\/p>\n The charge of sexual assault under Spanish law can carry a punishment ranging from a fine to four years in prison.<\/p>\n \u201cThe high court often tackles crimes with an international dimension, such as terrorism or organised crime. It is involved in this case because the alleged assault by Mr Rubiales took place in Australia,\u201d BBC Madrid correspondent Guy Hedgecoe explained.<\/p>\n Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation on 28 August, looking into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault.<\/p>\n At the time, Spain\u2019s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of the \u201cunequivocal nature\u201d of 33-year-old Hermoso\u2019s statements, saying it was necessary \u201cto determine their legal significance\u201d.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, Spain\u2019s national sports tribunal (TAD) opened a misconduct case against him, ruling he had committed a \u201cserious offence\u201d by kissing Hermoso.<\/p>\n However, the TAD stopped short of the \u201cvery serious offence\u201d the government had requested, that would have led to his suspension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Jenni](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/_131053499_jenni.jpg\")
Rubiales awaits high court decision<\/h3>\n