The Spanish Football Federation President, Luis Rubiales has resigned following backslash from the football federation for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Rubiales who has already been suspended, sent his resignation to the federation’s interim president, explained reasons for step down on a television interview anchored by Piers Morgan Uncensored, and in an open letter published on Sunday, September 11.
According to AFP, in the interview Rubiales said, “I’m going to (resign), yes, because I cannot continue my work.
“(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.”
Rubiales had sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.
FIFA asked him to resign after the incident but he refused, FIFA provisionally suspended him for 90 days, while Spanish public prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against him for alleged sexual assault and coercion.
Hermoso, 33, had filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.
In the open letter, he disclosed that he had informed the federation that he was also stepping down as a vice-president of European football governing body UEFA.
The letter read, “After the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the procedures opened against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position.
“Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither for the federation nor for Spanish football.
“Among other things, because there are powers that be that will prevent my return.”
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails,” he wrote.
Rubiales said his departure would contribute “stability” to the 2030 men’s World Cup bid in which Spain are involved.
