Luis Rubiales to step down as RFEF president on Friday

Luis Rubiales will announce his resignation as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday after five years at the helm. The 45-year-old will step down after the controversy generated by his behavior following the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The head of Spanish football gave a kiss - without consent - to Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony, among other events, a gesture that provoked a wave of criticism from the sporting and political sectors and that tomorrow will cost him the post he has held since 17 May 2018.

To this chapter, we must add his behavior in the box and on the pitch at the celebration, far removed from what is expected of the representation of an entity such as the RFEF before the rest of the world. Obscene gestures, kisses to the players and controversial images that cannot be tolerated as the highest representative of Spanish football.

The president of the RFEF, who in the first instance not only did not apologize on the night of the victory, but also branded all those who were critical of his action as "fools", ended up publishing an "apology" video during the stopover on the return flight in Doha.

The apology was described as "insufficient" by senior politicians and sports officials, who demanded "greater forcefulness" in his words in the face of an "inadmissible" act.

In addition, he tried to count on the participation of Jenni Hermoso and Ivana Andrés, something that the two footballers rejected.

Jenni Hermoso, categorical in her condemnation

Until Wednesday afternoon, the Madrid player had only made a statement on her social networks in the dressing room of the final,

"I didn't like it, but what can I do?"

More than enough to condemn these events. The subsequent reaction was a statement published by the FIFPRO union, where the player made clear her position on this matter.

"FIFPRO, in coordination with my agency TMJ are taking care of defending my interests and being the interlocutors on this matter". The midfielder ended with these words, this time her own, with the few sceptics of this matter, if there was still a possibility that there were any.

Earlier, the RFEF had released a statement with some alleged words from the Madrid player.

"It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that comes from winning a World Cup. The president and I have a great relationship, his behavior with all of us has been excellent and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. You can't go over and over a gesture of friendship and gratitude, we have won a World Cup and we are not going to deviate from what is important".

These statements were never written by the player, another very serious act committed by the RFEF and Rubiales himself.

This behavior has ended up tarnishing the achievement of a historic event, the first women's World Cup for Spain. Precisely, this has been the line of action of the players at all times, putting aside the controversy and focusing their attention on what is really important. Rubiales' actions should not have overshadowed one of the most important milestones in Spanish sport.

FIFA delivers the final blow

Jenni Hermoso's statement was only the tip of the iceberg. Spanish society and the sporting world have turned against the player and condemned the actions of the RFEF president.

Footballers such as Isco, Borja Iglesias,and Iker Casillas, representatives of the RFEF board, the AFE, Pedro Sanchez, Miquel Iceta, etc.... They all decided to take action and denounce the events of the last World Cup final.

Luis Rubiales then decided to remain silent and feel protected with his hard core at the Assembly to be held tomorrow at 12:00 noon together with the presidents of the Territorial Associations, although he will not find the support, he wanted either.

The case opened by FIFA, for violation of article 13.1 and 13.2, has finally dealt the definitive blow to the president of the RFEF. The social and sporting pressure has forced Rubiales to take a step that he was not prepared to take and that, in the eyes of most of the players in this affair, has come too late.

The RFEF president's entourage were confident of reversing the situation and have tried to find an alternative solution to avoid resignation, although what will happen tomorrow seemed inevitable. The mandate comes to an end after five years.

The RFEF will now enter a new phase after the resignation of Luis Rubiales. It remains to be seen who his replacement will be.

Adblock test (Why?)