Spanish Soccer President Luis Rubiales will resign after FIFA opens investigation into kiss controversy

Spanish football federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales plans to resign after FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him over his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso during celebrations after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory, according to a report.

Cadena Ser radio reported on Thursday that Rubiales, who has been under fire after kissing Hermoso on the lips while handing the team their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final in Sydney on Sunday, will resign on Friday.

The incident sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including government ministers, demanding his resignation.

Pressure continued to mount during the week after FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales and Hermoso herself said in statement that such acts “should never go unpunished”.

As the backlash grew, Rubiales, who initially called his critics “idiots”, issued a video apology late on Monday, but it failed to quell the uproar.

An RFEF spokesperson declined to comment

Rubiales, who played for several lower league clubs in Spain, finished his playing career in 2009 with Hamilton Academical in Scotland.

A year later he was named President of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), a position he held until announcing his candidacy for the RFEF top job in 2017. He was elected in May 2018.

He promised to modernise the structure, increase turnover and make the federation more transparent, following the arrest of former president Angel Maria Villar on corruption charges.

However, Rubiales’ mandate was full of controversies, including the shocking decision to sack Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their opening 2018 World Cup match and accusations of wrongdoing over a multi-million euro deal to relocate the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.

There was also a mutiny within the Spain women’s squad last September, when a large group of players demanded that long-standing coach Jorge Vilda be sacked.

The RFEF backed Vilda and he cut 12 of the 15 players involved in the dispute from his World Cup squad.