Luis Rubiales hands in his resignation

Luis Rubiales has officially resigned from his position as president of the Spanish Football Federation after his behaviour as the Spanish women’s team celebrated their World Cup win in Sydney last month.

Rubiales’ subsequent belligerent language and dogged position led to a temporary FIFA ban after the the scandal stemmed from his kiss with striker Jenni Hermoso on the podium and his behavior in the box during the Women’s World Cup final.

Luis Rubiales’ resignation letter

Good night.

Today at 9:30 p.m. I informed acting President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, my resignation from the position of President of the RFEF. I have also informed you that I have done the same with my position at UEFA so that my position in the Vice Presidency can be replaced.

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. Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because there are de facto powers that will prevent my return.

My time in management and, above all, the happiness that I experienced at the RFEF will remain with me and I take those memories with me, the enormous privilege of more than 5 years at the helm of the RFEF. I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this disproportionate campaign and, above all, I am making this decision after having made sure that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of hosting the 2030 World Cup, which will allow the largest event in the world to be brought to our country.

I must now look forward, look to the future. I have faith in the truth and I 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 falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.

From here I convey to all the workers, assembly members, federations and football people in general, a big hug, wishing them the best of luck.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during these times.

Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar

Rubiales recap

The sprawling scandal that has played out since the Women’s World Cup final on 19 August continued to engulf Luis Rubiales. The, now former RFEF president continually refused to apologise for the unwanted kiss on Spain player Jenni Hermoso and said that “false feminism” was to blame for the controversy.

However Rubiales faced growing pressure to step down from his role as the head of the Spanish football federation. He was suspended by FIFA days after the incident, pending an investigation and the head of the member assemblies of Spanish football called for him to resign; and more than 80 female footballers refused to play while he remains in his post.

Amid all this, Rubiales’ mother began a brief hunger strike after locking herself in a church in the small Spanish town of Motril.