Rubiales resigns from the presidency of the Spanish Federation
The Spanish series has ended, Luis Rubiales has advanced to the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation.
This came against the backdrop of what happened after the Women's World Cup final, when he kissed player Jenny Hermoso and the decision of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to temporarily suspend him for 90 days. (See details)
Rubiales took office in 2018 and a year remains until the end of his term.
Rubiales' statement read:
"good afternoon
Today at 9:30 pm I informed the Acting President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, of my resignation as President of the Spanish Football Federation. I also inform you that I did the same with my position in UEFA as vice president.
After FIFA's quick suspension, as well as the rest of the proceedings that have been opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position. Insisting on waiting and clinging to it will not contribute to anything positive, neither for the federation nor for Spanish football. Among other things, because there are forces that will prevent my return.
There is the management of my team and, above all, the happiness I bring with me for the enormous privilege of having spent more than 5 years at the helm of the Spanish Football Federation. I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this inappropriate campaign and, above all, I make this decision having been certain that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of 2030, which will bring to our country the greatest event in the world.
I have to look forward, look to the future. Now there's something that's really bothering me. I believe in the truth and will do everything in my power to make it prevail. My daughters, my family, and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many lies, but it is also true that in the street, every day, the truth prevails more and more.
Hence, I address all employees, members of the association, federations, and football people in general with a big hug, wishing them success.
Thank you to everyone who supported me during these times.
"Luis Manuel Rubiales Bigar"
What happened?
Spain won the Women's World Cup at the expense of England, and during the coronation ceremony, Rubiales kissed Jennifer Hermoso.
Then there were calls for Rubiales to resign from his position.
FIFA issued a statement earlier that read as follows:
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation, today that it will open disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final match of the Women's World Cup on 20 August 2023.
These incidents may constitute violations of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 13 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The Disciplinary Committee will not provide any information about these disciplinary procedures until a final decision is issued in this regard.
FIFA reiterates its firm commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior inconsistent with this.
Rubiales held a press conference after FIFA's statement, during which he refused to resign and said: "I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign."
He stressed, "I want to apologize without any painkillers of any kind for the event that occurred when, in the moment of ecstasy, I grabbed that part of the body that everyone saw."
Rubiales means his celebration when he was on the audience stage and pointed to one of his genitals in celebration of the victory.
As for his kiss with Jenny Hermoso, he said: “My desire for that kiss was exactly the same as I would kiss one of my daughters. There was no desire or behavior that indicated my dominance.”
He continued, "Jenny was the one who raised me a little and brought me closer to her body, so I said to her: A little? And she said: Well, I will not resign."
Rubiales directed his speech in that sentence to the coach of the women's national team, Jorge Villeda, whom some of the players asked to leave and confirmed that they had no intention of playing for the national team again in his presence.
Rubiales said: “They wanted to do to you what they are doing to me now, a false speech and they are trying to turn it into reality. We suffered a lot, but we were together.”
He added, "I am ready to be defamed for defending my ideas and my truth."
He continued, "Should I leave after doing the best management in Spanish football? I will tell you something, I will not resign."
He continued, "I have been pursued for five years and they will never prove anything. I have never taken a single penny in my life or benefited anyone else illegally."
Rubiales described the Spanish media as a great scourge, especially in light of its support for Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish League “La Liga,” and said: “The media that praises Tebas and false feminism is a great scourge.”
As for interest in women's football, he said: "There are many things that we have done for women's football."
He concluded, "They are not trying to achieve justice here, but rather they are carrying out a social murder and are trying to kill me."
