Suspended President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, announced on Sunday that he has stepped down from his position as a result of the controversy surrounding his kiss on a Women’s World Cup player’s lips.
“I’m going to (resign), yes, because I cannot continue my work,” said Rubiales in an interview with 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’.”
On August 20, after Spain’s World Cup victory in Sydney, Rubiales, caused an international uproar by forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony.
Spanish public prosecutors sued the head this week for sexual assault and coercion, and FIFA suspended him temporarily for 90 days.
Hermoso, aged lodged a formal case at the National Court on Tuesday, levying allegations of sexual assault against Rubiales.
Rubiales, in a publicly released letter, announced his resignation as a vice-president of UEFA, the governing body for European football, after notifying the federation of his decision. This communication occurred on Sunday evening.
“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,” said Rubiales in the letter.
“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.”
Rubiales, who maintains that the kiss was consensual, expressed his concern regarding the potential harm inflicted upon Spanish football due to the perceived excessive nature of the campaign against him.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails.”
