Spanish Football Federation regional presidents call for resignation of Luis Rubiales
Spanish federation president resident Luis Rubiales prior the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Japan and Spain at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
After President Luis Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso, the regional directors of the Spanish Football Federation demanded his immediate resignation. The resignation request was made public in a statement that was released on Tuesday (August 29) following an emergency meeting.
FIFA, the organisation that controls football in the world, punished Rubiales on Saturday for forcing a kiss on a female player during the World Cup victory celebrations.
The RFEF, speaking on behalf of the committee of regional presidents, stated: “After the recent events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Mr. Luis Rubiales submit his resignation as president of the RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation] immediately.
In addition, the 19 regional presidents underlined their unanimity in favour of Pedro Rocha, the interim president of the RFEF, “to lead a new stage of dialogue and reconciliation with all of the football institutions,” according to the statement. Rocha took Rubiales’ place after he was suspended by FIFA.
In order to pave the way for a new phase in the management of Spanish football, the statement continued, “We will urge the relevant authorities to carry out a profound and imminent organisational restructuring in strategic positions of the federation.”
Rubiales will now have to go through an inquiry that could result in sexual assault charges being brought against him by Spanish prosecutors. Rubiales is under increasing pressure to quit.