Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales resigned from his post on Sunday, Sept. 10, because of the scandal caused by his kiss on the lips of a Women's World Cup player.
The already-suspended chief sent his resignation to the federation's interim president, he said in an open letter, and also explained his decision to eventually step down in a television interview.
Rubiales, 46, sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20. In an open letter published by Rubiales on Sunday night, he said he had informed the federation he was also stepping down as a vice-president of European football governing body UEFA.
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.'Excessive persecution' "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.Spanish politicians quickly responded to Rubiales' decision.
Spain's equality minister Irene Montero wrote"It's Over" on X, a slogan used by Hermoso and her fellow players in protest against Rubiales. The RFEF, under interim president Pedro Rocha, also apologized for the"totally unacceptable behavior" of Rubiales.