Rubiales quits as head of Spanish Football Federation over Hermoso kiss scandal

Suspended Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales stepped down as the head of the organization on Sunday night over footballer Jenni Hermoso's kiss scandal.

In a written statement shared on X, previously known as Twitter, Rubiales talked about a "disproportionate campaign" and "excessive persecution," reasons why he stepped down, so Spanish football was not affected.

"I have to look forward, look into the future," he added after saying that there are "powers in the shadows" that will not allow him to return to his position.

The announcement comes weeks after being surrounded by the scandal that dates back to the World Cup final medal ceremony after Spain beat England in Sydney, Australia, on August 20.

During the ceremony, Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips while he held her head with his two hands.

This week, Hermoso and Spain's public prosecution filed a complaint against Rubiales over sexual assault and coercion, who also stepped down as one of UEFA's vice presidents.

Hermoso and other players were pressured by Rubiales and other members of his team to justify the events, something the prosecution considered could be considered a crime of coercion.

Rubiales told the interim president of the RFEF, Pedro Rocha, his decision.

Forced kiss

After the World Cup Final on August 20, which Spain won 1-0 against England to become world champions for the first time, Luis Rubiales grabbed Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips during the medal ceremony.

The federation chief posted an apology video from Doha airport that also drew criticism from many for its apparent lack of sincerity or confession of wrongdoing. It later emerged that Rubiales pressured Hermoso to appear alongside him in the video, while Spanish team manager Jorge Vilda also pressured the player's family up to three times for the same motive.

Rubiales then refused to resign during an explosive speech given at an RFEF extraordinary general meeting, contrary to all expectations, while railing against the "false feminism" which he said was trying to "socially assassinate" him. 

The RFEF head also affirmed that the kiss was consensual.

Following his refusal to step down, 81 Spanish players announced they would not be returning to the national team fold until there were significant changes in the directorship of the organization. The federation then threatened legal action against the players.

The Spanish Football Federation released various statements then brandishing Hermoso a liar. In a personal statement, unlike most that were sent through her union, Hermoso denied that the kiss was consensual and explained that she felt the victim of an assault.   

Rubiales provisionally suspended

FIFA took the step of provisionally suspending Rubiales from all footballing activity for 90 days and prohibited him from making contact with Hermoso or her family. 

The Spanish government were also waiting for Rubiales' announcement at that EGM in which he refused to resign before taking any action. 

After the federation president refused to resign, Spain's Superior Sports Board (CSD) brought the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with head of the CSD dubbing the case the "#MeToo moment of Spanish football."

Yet, CAS only ruled that the case was a 'serious' breach of conduct, rather than a 'very serious,' as requested by the Spanish government. With a case categorized as such, the maximum punishment permissible would be a two-year suspension, rather than a complete removal from his post. 

Regional presidents at the RFEF then unanimously called for Rubiales to step aside after "unacceptable behavior that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football."

Manager fired

During Rubiales' EGM speech, the manager of Spain's men's and women's teams, Luis de la Fuente and Jorge Vilda respectively, were seen applauding the federation president's words. This in turn led to widespread criticism of each team manager. 

Shortly after, the vast majority of Vilda's backroom staff resigned in protest. Yet, neither de la Fuente nor Vilda stepped down. De la Fuente later apologized for applauding.

The women's team manager, who has long been the subject of controversy stretching back to a year before the World Cup when 15 players sent letters to the federation asking for improvements and changes, was eventually fired.