Women’s World Cup kiss: Spanish football federation asks president Luis Rubiales to resign
- ‘The presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF,’ the federation said, citing ‘unacceptable behaviour’
- Prosecutors on Monday opened an investigation into Rubiales’ kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso on grounds it could constitute sexual assault
The Spanish football federation’s regional presidents asked suspended president Luis Rubiales to resign on Monday in the furore after he kissed Women’s World Cup player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
“After recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF,” said the federation (RFEF) in a statement following a meeting between the regional presidents.
The presidents said they backed interim chief Pedro Rocha, who called the meeting, to lead the organisation into “dialogue and reconciliation with all football institutions”.
The RFEF statement also urged an overhaul in the federation’s management.
“We will urge the relevant authorities to carry out a profound and imminent organisational restructuring in strategic positions of the federation in order to make way for a new stage in the management of Spanish football,” it read.
The regional presidents also congratulated the women’s team on their World Cup triumph in Australia and New Zealand. Presently 81 players, including Hermoso, are on strike, until the federation’s leadership changes.
Earlier on Monday prosecutors at Spain’s top criminal court said on Monday they had opened a preliminary investigation into Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales’ kiss on the lips of World Cup player Jenni Hermoso on grounds it could constitute a crime of “sexual assault”.
