Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Missiles were seen descending toward Israeli targets in occupied Palestine
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi on X: Iran has so far only retaliated against the Israeli regime and not those who are aiding and abetting it
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Gaza Envelope settlements following a missile attack from Iran
Israeli media: Sirens sound in Tel Aviv
Sirens are sounding in Ashdod in the south, passing through Tel Aviv, and Netanya in the north
Israeli media: Sirens sound in al-Quds and surrounding areas
Israeli media: Missile launches from Iran have been detected
German diplomatic source: Foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain and top EU diplomat to hold nuclear talks with Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva
Trump: My supporters don't want to see Iran get a nuclear weapon
Trump: A deal could still happen

Spanish FA chief Rubiales resigns over Hermoso kiss

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 11 Sep 2023 20:55
3 Min Read

The football association chief of Spain has resigned after the barrage of criticism his non-consensual kiss with player Jenni Hermoso received.

  • x
  • A woman holds a placard as demonstrators gather in the center of Madrid, Spain, Aug. 28, 2023, for an anti-Rubiales protest and to support Spain's national womens's soccer team player Jenni Hermoso (AP)
    A woman holds a placard as demonstrators gather in the center of Madrid, Spain, Aug. 28, 2023, for an anti-Rubiales protest and to support Spain's national women's soccer team player Jenni Hermoso (AP)

Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has resigned as the head of the country's highest football body following paramount criticism for kissing Spain's forward, Jenni Hermoso, without her consent at the Women's World Cup final after the team won the championship.

Hermoso filed a legal complaint last Tuesday, sparking a cascade of events that ultimately led to Rubiales' resignation.

Rubiales issued a statement acknowledging the need to step down from his role as President, also relinquishing his role as vice-president of UEFA's executive committee. "I cannot continue my work," he said after spending weeks resisting calls to resign.

He added: "I have faith in the truth, and I will do everything in my power to 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," he said.

Related News

China rebukes Trump on Iran, Spain, Italy call for return to diplomacy

UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backs Gaza ceasefire resolution

'I will not resign'

The 46-year-old had earlier maintained in an emotional statement before an emergency general meeting of Spain's football federation that he would not be driven out of his position by what he saw as a witch-hunt. "I will not resign," he stated unequivocally. "I will fight this to the end."

He described the recent events as "false feminism" and "social assassination," adding that they were "trying to kill" him.

The latest escalation saw a prosecutor filing a complaint with Spain's high court after Hermoso's Tuesday testimony, wherein she testified against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.

The now-former President previously claimed the kiss was "mutual" and "consensual", though his words did not mean much, as he was provisionally suspended by FIFA. He maintains that he had asked her if he might give her a peck. She nodded and said okay, according to him.

However, Hermoso stated on a live stream shortly after the kiss, which was administered on stage at the formal post-match ceremony, that she "didn't like it."

"After the quick suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position," Rubiales said in his statement. "Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football."

At least 81 Spanish players, including all 23 World Cup winners, said they would not play for the national team again so long as Rubiales was president amid heightened criticism from politicians, fellow footballers, and celebrities.

  • Spain
  • FIFA
  • Fifa Women's World Cup
  • luis rubiales
  • Jenni Hermoso

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Trump on Iran strikes: 'I may do it, I may not do it'
US & Canada

Trump on potential of strikes on Iran: 'I may do it, I may not do it'

Poll: Trump voters say no to war with Iran
MENA

Majority of Trump supporters say no to war on Iran: Poll

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, visits the Muscat International Book Fair in Oman, Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran denies media reports on delegation landing in Oman for talks

US President Donald Trump, left, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attend a family photo session during the G7 Summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Britain weighing military support to US in event of strike on Iran

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS