Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales plans to resign on Friday after FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him for his unsolicited kiss on the mouth of player Jenni Hermoso during celebrations following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory, Cadena Ser radio said.
Rubiales has come under criticism for kissing Hermoso on the lips when awarding the players their medals following their 1-0 victory against England in the final in Sydney on Sunday.
The episode provoked uproar both inside and outside of Spain, with many calling for his resignation, including government ministers.
Pressure mounted last week after FIFA initiated disciplinary procedures against Rubiales, and Hermoso stated in a statement that such actions “should never go unpunished.”
As the criticism escalated, Rubiales, who first referred to his detractors as “idiots,” offered a video apology late Monday, but it was unable to quiet the outrage.
A spokesman for the RFEF declined to comment.
Regional leaders of the RFEF met in Madrid on Thursday to debate Rubiales’ future and choices for a prospective replacement, report said.
Pedro Rocha, president of the Extremadura football federation, and Pablo Lozano, president of the Andalusia football federation, are the favourites to succeed Rubiales, a source said.
Rubiales concluded his playing career in 2009 with Hamilton Academical in Scotland after playing for many lower-league clubs in Spain.
He was chosen President of the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) a year later, a position he retained until launching his candidature for the RFEF presidency in 2017. He was chosen in May of this year.
Following the arrest of former president Angel Maria Villar on corruption allegations, he vowed to modernise the structure, enhance turnover, and make the federation more transparent.
However, Rubiales‘ tenure was marred by controversy, notably the surprising decision to fire Spain manager Julen Lopetegui two days before the start of the 2018 World Cup and allegations of corruption in a multimillion-euro plan to shift the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.
There was also a mutiny inside the Spain women’s squad last September, when a sizable section of players requested the dismissal of long-serving coach Jorge Vilda. Vilda received support from the RFEF, and he dropped 12 of the 15 players implicated in the controversy from his World Cup roster.
