Suspended Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales announced his resignation on Sunday as a result of the crisis sparked by his kiss on the lips of a Women’s World Cup player.
“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’.”
Rubiales, 46, aroused outrage throughout the world on August 20 by forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup victory in Sydney.
FIFA suspended him for 90 days on a temporary basis, while Spanish public prosecutors launched a complaint against him for s**ual assault and coercion earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Hermoso, 33, filed a lawsuit with the National Court, accusing Rubiales of s**ual assault.
Rubiales stated in an open letter released on Sunday night that he had told the federation that he would also stepping down as a vice-president of European football regulatory body UEFA.
“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 insists the kiss was consensual, said he did not want Spanish football to be hurt by “such a disproportionate campaign” against him.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails.”
Rubiales said his departure would contribute “stability” to the 2030 men’s World Cup bid in which Spain are involved.
The chief’s mother Angeles Bejar went on a hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son, locking herself in a church on August 28.
However two days later she was taken to hospital because she was feeling unwell.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered from the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods,” added Rubiales in his letter.
“But it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”
Strike
Over 80 female players went on strike in response to Rubiales’ vehement rebuttal of the incident, in which he railed against “false feminism.”
They stated they would not return unless the RFEF (Spanish football organization) changed its leadership – controversial women’s coach Jorge Vilda was fired on Tuesday.
The RFEF also apologised for the “totally unacceptable behaviour” of Rubiales.
Montserrat Tome, Vilda’s former assistant, is the new coach, and she is the team’s first female leader.
Spain’s women’s team will face Sweden and Switzerland in Nations League qualifying matches on September 22 and 26, respectively.
Meanwhile, a National Court judge will review Spanish prosecutors’ claim against Rubiales.
If the judge grants the motion, a magistrate will be assigned to lead an investigation, which will result in either a recommendation that the case be tried or dismissed.
Under Spanish law, s**ual assault encompasses a wide range of offences ranging from online abuse and groping to r*pe, each with its own set of sanctions.
The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.
Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, said the unwelcome kiss left her feeling “vulnerable and like a victim of an assault,” and described it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part” in a social media message.
She also accused Rubiales of pressing her to speak out in his defense shortly after the kiss scandal broke, which authorities said may be considered a coercion offense.