Spanish Soccer President Luis Rubiales Resigns After World Cup Kiss Scandal

Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), resigned Sunday after weeks of criticism for his unwanted kiss of Spain midfielder Jennifer Hermoso following the club’s victory against England in the Women’s World Cup final.

Rubiales, who had served as the RFEF’s president since 2018, confirmed his resignation in a statement posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Today, I notified the interim president at 930 pm, Mr. Pedro Rocha, that I have resigned as President of RFEF,” Rubiales wrote on Sunday in a statement translated by CNN. “I have also let him know that I have also resigned my position in UEFA so that my Vice-presidency position can be filled.

“To insist on waiting around and holding onto that won’t contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because the powers that be will prevent my return.”

Rubiales’s resignation comes after the 46-year-old kissed Hermoso on the lips, an exchange that he initially insisted was “mutual,” during the club’s medal ceremony on Aug. 20. Hermoso subsequently denied that the kiss was consensual.

On Aug. 25, Rubiales said he would not resign from his post. However, after his speech, Hermoso reiterated that she did not “consent” to the unwanted kiss.

“I won’t tolerate that my word is called into question, and even less so that words are invented which I didn’t say,” Hermoso said at the time.

In support of Hermoso, FUTPRO, Spain’s women’s soccer union, tweeted a letter requesting that Rubiales resign. Each member of Spain’s World Cup-winning roster signed the letter.

As the RFEF board of directors prepare to hold an election to find its new leader, Rubiales promised to reveal the “truth” in the situation.

“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything when it’s in my hands so that it prevails,” Rubiales said, per CNN. “My daughters, my family and the people that love me have suffered the effects of an excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it’s also true that in the street, every day more, the truth is being imposed.”