The regional presidents of the Spanish Football Federation have called for Luis Rubiales’ resignation with immediate effect.
It comes after Spain’s FA president violently kissed Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final after Spain’s women’s side defeated England.
The incident has sparked widespread backlash, with members of Spain’s men’s and women’s national team last week calling on Rubiales to step down from his position.
But he refused to resign at a staggering press conference and was subsequently suspended from all football activities by FIFA’s disciplinary committee for 90 days.
He has since claimed he would “defend himself” following the suspension, but many in the football community have condemned the president’s conduct, with Alexis Putellas and several other members of the women’s side publicly speaking out against the incident.
The territorial presidents of the Spanish Football Federation have called on Luis Rubiales (pictured) to resign immediately.
It comes after Rubiales (right) violently kissed Jennifer Hermoso (left) on the lips during the medal ceremony of the Women’s World Cup final.
In a statement today, they called Rubiales’ actions “unacceptable” and claimed that his “conduct has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football.”
It is also an attempt by FIFA to ban Rubiales for 15 years, the maximum suspension term that can be imposed in the statutes.
Hermoso had said she “didn’t consent” to the kiss, saying, “I want to make it clear that at no point did I consent to the kiss.” I will not tolerate my word being questioned, let alone words made up that I did not say.”
Mail Sport reported today that prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into sexual abuse against the president of the Spanish Football Federation. Reports also indicate that the Spanish Football Federation had called for an emergency meeting on Monday as Rubiales faces a storm of criticism.
And tonight, presidents of the Spanish Football Federation have asked Rubiales to hand in his letter of resignation.
A statement from the Spanish Football Federation (the RFEF) tonight read: “Once the meeting of the Commission of Presidents of Regional and Territorial Federations of the RFEF has concluded, the following agreements will be unanimously announced to the football world and society:
“Following the latest events and unacceptable behavior that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the Presidents request Mr Luis Rubiales to immediately tender his resignation as President of the RFEF.
“We warmly congratulate the women’s football team on their victory at the World Cup. We appreciate the significance and legacy of success for Spanish sport. We express our admiration and gratitude to an unrepeatable group of players and we congratulate all those who have built the growth of women’s football with determination over the years.
Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, defiantly refused to resign in his speech
“We will urge the corresponding bodies to carry out a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the Federation, to make way for a new management phase in Spanish football.
“Once FIFA has suspended Mr. Luis Rubiales, the internal protocols of the Federation have been activated as a result of the suspension.
“In addition, we have urged President Pedro Rocha to immediately withdraw the last communication on behalf of the Federation with FIFA and UEFA that we have known today.
“The RFEF maintains its commitment to continue its investment and equality policy for the development of women’s football.
Finally, the Presidential Committee has given its unanimous support to Mr. Pedro Rocha so that he can lead a new phase in which dialogue and reconciliation with all football institutions is the line to follow.
“We are making ourselves available to the CSD and all institutions involved to continue building together on the candidacy for the 2030 World Cup.”
Last week, Rubiales branded his opponents “idiots” and amid mounting pressure to quit, he reiterated four times at a press conference that he would not resign from his position.
Protesters lined the streets of Madrid today in support of Hermoso, but also condemned the Spanish FA president
In a stunning speech on Friday, he accused him of “false feminism” for a “social murder,” while also claiming he would “fight to the end.”
I’m not going to resign,” he shouted four times during a speech at an emergency meeting of federation officials.
And his refusal to quit was condemned by many in the football community, with Borja Iglasias resigning from the men’s national team after Rubiales refused to step down.
David de Gea and Iker Casillas also attacked the 46-year-old and called his speech “shameful”.
Spain’s World Cup winner Putellas tweeted: “This is unacceptable. It is over. With your partner @jennihermoso,” while her teammate Aitana Bonmati wrote, “There are boundaries that cannot be crossed and we cannot tolerate this. We stand with your partner.”
Hermoso (pictured) issued a statement on Saturday claiming she “felt vulnerable” after the incident
Hermoso released a statement on Twitter on Saturday saying, “I want to reiterate, as I did before, that I did not like this incident.
“The situation shocked me given the festivities that were taking place at the time, and as time has passed and after I have delved a little deeper into those initial feelings, I feel the need to report this incident, as I believe that no one, in any form, work, sport or social environment should be the victim of this type of non-consensual behavior.
“I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulsive, sexist, misguided act without any consent on my part.
“Simply put: I was disrespected.”
She has received the support of many within the football community, including the Lionesses who issued a statement saying: ‘We stand with you, Jenni Hermoso and all the players of the Spanish team.’
Spain boss Jorge Vilda has also condemned the behavior of the Spanish FA president as “inappropriate and unacceptable”.
“I deeply regret that the victory of Spanish women’s football has been damaged by the inappropriate behavior carried out by our top leader, Luis Rubiales, which he himself has acknowledged,” Vilda wrote in a statement released Saturday.
“There is no doubt that this is unacceptable and does not at all reflect the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular.”