Following his actions at the Women’s World Cup final, the presidents of Spain’s regional soccer federations have called for Luis Rubiales’ resignation.
After calling an emergency meeting, the RFEF unanimously decided to support Pedro Rocha, “to lead a new stage of dialogue and reconciliation with all of the football institutions,” the statement read.
Rubiales was replaced by Rocha after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee temporarily barred the president from all national and international football-related activities for 90 days.
The outcome of the disciplinary action taken against Rubiales on Thursday, August 24, will be used to make a more long-term determination about his future.
Additionally, FIFA regulations prohibit the head of the RFEF from directly or indirectly contacting Jennifer Hermoso.
“After the recent events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that, immediately, Mr. Luis Rubiales submits his resignation as president of the RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation]”, the RFEF said on behalf of the committee of regional presidents.
The consequences come after the RFEF president kissed Hermoso on the lips without her consent in the aftermath of Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win over England. Though Rubiales issued a public apology, vowing to “learn from this” after a furious backlash against his actions at Stadium Australia, he refused to resign from his post.
He said in a press conference: “The time has come to say something. I was wrong and it was not the time to make that gesture. Do you think it is serious enough for me to suffer through this hunt? Is it serious enough for me to leave?
“I am not going to resign. I am not going to resign. I am not going to resign. What have I done? I’m going to fight until the end. I want to explain this peck, not a kiss, a peck. The feeling behind that kiss was the same with which I would give my daughter a kiss. There was no dominance.”
During that same speech, Rubiales insisted the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual and consensual”, stating that “she told me, ‘You are a star’, and I said, ‘A little peck?‘ and it happened.”
Hermoso responded to the odd statement on consent by confirming its false nature: “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part. Simply put, I was not respected.”
The entire Spanish national squad has come out in favour of Hermoso and signed a petition promising not to represent their nation once more until the president of the football federation steps down from his position. Similar letters of support have been signed and circulated by men’s national team players, while other La Liga team presidents have issued remarks condemning Rubiales.
The hashtags #ContigoJenny and #SeAcabo are used by players all around the world to declare their devotion.