Luis Rubiales will announce his resignation as president of the Royal Spanish Football Association this Friday after five years at the helm. The 45-year-old leader will step down as president amid controversy over his behavior following success at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the daily reported Brand.

The first head of Spanish football kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent during the medal ceremony, a gesture that sparked a wave of criticism from the sports and political sectors and will tomorrow cost her the job he has held since May 17, 2018.

Gol Mundial channel report pushes Luis Rubiales further into the corner for his “other scandals”

His behavior in the box and on the grass during the celebrations should be added to this chapter, far from what is expected from the representation of an entity like the RFEF to the rest of the world. Obscene gestures, kisses with players and some controversial pictures that I cannot tolerate as the head of Spanish football.

Jenni Hermoso breaks the silence and puts Luis Rubiales on the edge of the ledge

The president of the RFEF (as of tomorrow the former), who at first not only did not apologize on the night of the triumph, but labeled all those who criticized his action as “fools”, finally released a video apology during the stopover of the return flight in Doha. The pardon was assessed as “insufficient” by high-ranking political and sports officials, asking for “greater vehemence” in their words in the face of the “inadmissible” fact. In addition, he tried to include Jenna Hermoso and Ivana Andrés, which the two soccer players refused.

The pressure on Luis Rubiales is growing, and the RFEF vice-president is distancing himself from the controversy

Jenni Hermoso, harsh in her condemnation

Until Wednesday afternoon in the final dressing room, the Madrid player announced herself only through her social networks: “I didn’t like it, but what can I do?” More than enough to condemn these facts. The reaction was followed by a press release from the Futpro union, where the soccer player was tasked to clearly state her position on this issue: “Futpro, in cooperation with my agency TMJ, takes care of defending my interests and interlocutors on this matter.” With these words, this time her own, the midfielder finished with few skeptics on this issue, if there was even a possibility that there were any at all.

Previously, the RFEF published a statement with some alleged words of the Madrid footballer. “It was a completely spontaneous mutual gesture due to the immense joy that winning the World Cup brings. The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior towards all of us was extraordinary and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. The gesture of friendship and gratitude cannot be undone, we won the World Cup and we will not deviate from what is essential”. These statements were never written by a football player, which is another very serious fact involving the RFEF and Rubiales himself.

This behavior ended up tarnishing the achievements of a historic event, such as the first Women’s World Cup in Spain. This was exactly the line of action of football players at all times, putting polemics aside and focusing on what was really important. Rubiales’ actions should not have overshadowed one of the most important milestones in Spanish sport.

FIFA strikes the final blow

Jenni Hermoso’s statement was just the tip of the iceberg. Spanish society and sports turned to the footballer and condemned the actions of the RFEF president. Football players like Isco or Borja Iglesias, Iker Casillas, representatives of the RFEF board, AFE, Pedro Sánchez, Miquela Iceta… They all decided to take action and condemn the events that happened in the last World Cup final.

Luis Rubiales then decided to remain silent and feel protected together with his hard core at the Assembly that will be held tomorrow at 12 noon with the presidents of the territories, although he too will not find the desired support. The file opened by FIFA for violations of Article 13.1 and 13.2 ended with the final blow to the President of the RFEF. Social and sporting pressure forced Rubiales to take a step he was not willing to take and which, in the eyes of most actors in this matter, came even too late.

Articles 13.1 and 13.2 of the FIFA regulations

The president’s entourage believed that the situation would turn around and they tried to find an alternative solution to avoid his resignation, although what would happen tomorrow really seemed inevitable. The mandate expires after five years. The RFEF will now begin a new phase following the resignation of Luis Rubiales. It remains to be seen who will be his replacement. (D)