Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales has, both inevitably and also somewhat surprisingly, resigned.
Rubiales confirmed his resignation in an open letter published on Sunday, as well as in an interview with Piers Morgan.
“I have handed in my resignation to the acting president, Pedro Rocha,” Rubiales said in the letter. “I have also informed him that I have done the same with my position at UEFA, so that a replacement for my role as vice president can be sought.
“After the suspension by FIFA, in addition to the rest of the proceedings against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position.”
As Rubiales mentioned, he has been under an intense amount of pressure stemming from his actions in the aftermath of the World Cup final on August 20.
Among other acts, Rubiales kissed Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips — an act Hermoso has insisted was not consensual.
Hermoso has filed a complaint with the country’s prosecutors office accusing Rubiales of sexual assault. Rubiales also remains under investigation by Spain’s top sport court (TAD) and by FIFA, which has issued him a preliminary 90-day suspension while its inquiry continues.
Spain’s entire World Cup-winning roster also said it was going on strike until the president is ousted.
Despite all of the pressure, Rubiales’s resignation also felt somewhat surprising due to his seemingly unending defiance in the face of scandal.
This was demonstrated most clearly in an August 25 speech, during which he refused to stand down as was expected. Even in his resignation letter, Rubiales continued to allude to his insistence that his kiss with Hermoso was consensual.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of unconscionable persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, every day more and more, the truth is prevailing,” he said.
Aside from the huge pressure campaign against him, Rubiales also hinted at another potentially significant reason for his resignation: the perception that his continued presence was damaging Spain’s bid for the 2030 World Cup, which also includes Portugal, Morocco and Ukraine.
“I am taking 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 2030,” he said.
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