The suspended president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales has announced his resignation from his post following the high-profile scandal caused after he kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the World Cup awards ceremony, AFP reported.

Jenny Hermoso and Luis RubialesPhoto: Noe Llamas/SPP / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Luis Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation

“Regarding my resignation, yes, I want to because I can’t continue my job,” Rubiales said in an interview with British television journalist Piers Morgan.

Rubiales added that his entourage told him: “Luis, you have to take care of your dignity and move on with your life. Otherwise, you’re hurting the people you care about and the sport you love.”

According to a letter signed by Rubiales and published by the Spanish press, at 22:30 (Sunday Romanian time) the acting president of the Rubiales Federation was sent his resignation exactly three weeks after the scandal broke out.

The Spanish federation confirmed the resignation in a statement: “Informed the federation in a letter sent to Pedro Rocha Junco (interim president, no). He also resigned from the post of UEFA vice-president.”

In his resignation letter, Rubiales said he made the gesture to protect Spanish football, but again defended himself against allegations of an attack on Hermoso.

“After the swift suspension dictated by FIFA and the procedures opened against me, it was obvious that I could no longer return to my position. I don’t want Spanish football to suffer from this disproportionate campaign,” said Rubiales, who expressed confidence in the “truth” and promised to do everything in his power to make it win.

Luis Rubiales, 46, a divorced father of three who has led the RFEF since 2018, caused a media storm after he kissed player Jenny Hermoso on the mouth in Sydney on August 20 at an awards ceremony following La Roja’s world title win in final against England (1-0).

FIFA later announced the temporary suspension of the president of the Spanish Football Federation.

Spain women’s coach Jorge Wilda, a close friend of Rubiales, was fired on Tuesday.

Spanish prosecutors on Friday requested an indictment of “sexual violence” against Rubiales, who faces a fine of up to four years in prison, Agerpres reports.

Spain won the Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over England on Sunday, August 20, in the final at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.