Spanish football federation chief Luis Rubiales quit his post on Sunday after three weeks of scandal over allegations he gave an unsolicited kiss to a player on the women’s national team as they celebrated their World Cup victory last month.
Rubiales announced his resignation in a statement in which he said his position had become untenable, with the Spanish Football Federation later confirming he had sent a resignation letter to acting president Pedro Rocha.
His kiss on player Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup win in Sydney on August 20 had caused outrage among players, government officials and many in the wider Spanish society and raised questions over sexism in sport.
His decision to go came after further blows to his position in the last few days.
A Spanish prosecutor filed a complaint with the high court against him on Friday for sexual assault and coercion.
The complaint — which came after Hermoso opted earlier in the week to lodge a criminal complaint — describes how Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the mouth “without her consent” while holding her head with both hands after Spain defeated England to clinch the World Cup.
Rubiales has said the kiss was mutual and consensual, and had until Sunday defied calls from players, government officials and others for him to resign.
Rubiales had also been suspended for three months from all football activities by Fifa pending an investigation.
“After the rapid suspension carried out by Fifa, plus the rest of the proceedings opened against me, it is clear that I will not be able to return to my position,” Rubiales, who has also stepped down as vice-president of Uefa, said in his statement.
