Three weeks after its women’s team won the Women’s World Cup, but had its celebrations tainted by a kiss that sparked a problem, Spanish soccer is prepared to go forward.
Following weeks of constant pressure from within the sport and Spanish society in general, Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish soccer federation who kissed a player on the lips without her permission during the trophy ceremony in Australia last month, announced his resignation late Sunday.
The verdict was anticipated to aid Spanish soccer in beginning to move past one of its most embarrassing chapters, something that many people in the nation had been hoping to see much earlier. It should also make it possible for Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and perhaps Ukraine to resume their efforts to host the men’s World Cup in 2030.
Irene Montero, the temporary minister of equality in Spain, remarked on X, a social media website that replaced Twitter, “It’s over.”
Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20 in Sydney, Rubiales received harsh criticism for kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony. Hermoso said she was not given permission for the kiss.
Rubiales was supposed to step down in the federation’s emergency general meeting soon after the World Cup final, but he claimed he was the target of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.”
His resolute stance did not solve the issue.
Following Rubiales’ announcement of his resignation, interim Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Daz posted on X, “The feminist country continues to grow faster and faster.” Life must change and get better, that much is certain. Jenni, we stand by you and all females.
Only his mother, who briefly went on a hunger strike in a chapel in southern Spain, had publicly supported Rubiales. Jorge Vilda, the coach of the women’s team, who was one of his biggest supporters, was fired last week. His own federation had also publicly pushed him to go.
Since FIFA, the organization that oversees soccer in the world, temporarily suspended Rubiales, Pedro Rocha has been in charge of the federation. Early on Monday, the Spanish federation announced that it will begin the process of calling for new presidential elections.
In addition, Rubiales stated that he has resigned from his position as vice president of UEFA, the governing body of soccer in Europe, due to the potential damage the scandal could have to Spain’s joint bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“I take this decision because I have been assured that my exit will contribute to the stability that will enable both Europe and Africa to remain united for their dream of 2030, and it will permit the greatest sporting event in the world to come to our country,” Rubiales said. “I don’t want Spanish soccer to be harmed by this exaggerated campaign toward me, and above all, I take this decision because I have been assured that this campaign against me is not true.
“The powers that be would prevent me from returning (to my job), among other reasons, so insisting on waiting and hanging on would not benefit the federation or Spanish soccer at all.”
In 2026, Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host the men’s World Cup.
Late on Sunday, Rubiales released a statement about the same time that clips of an interview he had with British TalkTV personality Piers Morgan were made public.
Despite quitting the soccer federation, Rubiales will still have to deal with the criminal allegations that Spanish state prosecutors last week opened the door for him to confront.
Victoria Rosell, a government official who deals with gender violence, was cited by Spain’s EFE news agency as stating, “What I hope is that he goes somewhere through a conviction, a sentencing, not due to his voluntary decision.”
The Women’s Nations League is set to begin on September 22 with a visit from second-placed Spain, which has risen to the top of the FIFA standings. In the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup, Spain defeated Sweden.