Luis Rubiales: Spanish football federation calls for president to resign over World Cup kiss

The Spanish football federation has called for its president Luis Rubiales to resign following his controversial kiss at the Women’s World Cup final.

Mr Rubiales, 46, has faced widespread criticism after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s victory in the final.

In a statement on Monday evening, the Spanish football federation RFEF said that after “the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football”, Mr Rubiales is asked to “immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF”.

The RFEF had called an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting to discuss the situation.

It said: “We warmly congratulate the women’s soccer team for their victory in the World Cup. We value the meaning and legacy of success for Spanish sport.

“We express our admiration and gratitude to an unrepeatable group of players and we extend our congratulations to all those who have built, over the years with determination, the growth of women’s football.”

The federation also requested “a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the Federation to give way to a new stage of management in Spanish football.”

It comes as Spanish prosecutors opened inquiries into the kiss, announcing they believe the facts of the case may constitute an offence of sexual harassment.

The prosecutors said Hermoso now has 15 days to formalise the complaint.

The prosecutor’s office said: “It was agreed to approach Jenni Hermoso so as to inform her of her rights as a possible victim of the offence of sexual harassment… and to offer her the opportunity should she wish within the next 15 days to file a complaint with the Prosecutors Office of the Spanish High Court.”

The prosecutor’s office said it opened pre-trial inquiries because of “public statements made by Jenni Hermoso that the sexual act she experienced and was carried out by Mr Rubiales was non-consensual”.

Hermoso has said in “no moment” did she consent to the kiss.

Read more:
Who is Luis Rubiales?
Who said what in World Cup kissing row

Rubiales remains defiant

FIFA suspended Mr Rubiales on Saturday.

In response, he said he would defend himself and has remained defiant in the face of mounting criticism, saying he’s the subject of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists”.

Mother goes ‘on hunger strike’

Meanwhile, Mr Rubiales’ mother reportedly locked herself in a church on Monday and started a hunger strike over the “inhuman and bloody hunt” against her son.

Angeles Bejar told news outlet EFE she will remain in the Divina Pastora church in the southern Spanish town of Motril “indefinitely, day and night” until the situation is resolved.

She said the “hunt” against her son is “something he does not deserve”.

Mr Rubiales’ mother has requested Hermoso “tell the truth” and “maintain the version she had at the beginning of the events”.

Ms Bejar also told EFE her son “is incapable of harming anyone” and claimed there was “consent on both sides”.