He also resigns as vice president of UEFA upon realizing that “it is evident” that I will not be able to return to my position “after the rapid suspension of FIFAplus the rest of the procedures opened against me.” The last of them was, this Friday, the presentation of a complaint by the Prosecutor’s Office of the National Court for sexual assault and coercion, after the complaint filed by Jenni Hermoso.
“Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football,” says Rubiales, ensuring that there are “powers that be”whom he does not name, who will “prevent” his return.
“I must look forward, look to the future. Now there is something that firmly concerns me. I have faith in the truth and I am going to do everything in my power to make it prevail. My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecutionas well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing,” also includes the statement published by the until now president of the RFEF.
Minutes before releasing the statement, Rubiales had announced his imminent resignation in an interview in English with the newspaper The Sun, claiming that he was following the recommendations of his family and friends: “I have spoken with my father and my daughters. Close friends They have said that now I have to focus on my dignity and continue my life, because if not, I could probably harm the people I love, the sport I love and what I have built a long time ago.
The resignation thus puts an end to the Andalusian leader’s time at the head of the RFEF and occurs three weeks after he kissed Jenni Hermoso without consent and grabbed his genitals in the box in the minutes after the final of the Women’s World Cup.
After calling “idiots” and “douchebag” To those who criticized these behaviors, Rubiales began a flight forward that ends now. He tried to appease the criticism with a video of an alleged apology in which he stressed that “there was no intention on either side,” sharing with Hermoso the responsibility for an unwanted kiss by the soccer player.
In the following days, the pressure from the Government, the world of football and society in generalIt led him to announce to his close circle that he would resign in an assembly called the Friday after the events.. But, far from resigning, he shouted a quintuple “I’m not going to resign” after an embarrassing speech full of sexist phrases.
One day later, FIFA suspended him from his positions for 90 days, the hardest blow that Rubiales has received these days and from which he knew he could not emerge unscathed. The Government also tried to suspend him, but the TAD did not see a “very serious” fault in his behavior, preventing the Executive from acting.
Along the way, Jorge Vilda has been dismissed as women’s coach and Rocha has been making small changes in the RFEF, perceived as cosmetic, given that Rubiales’ trusted people have continued (and continue) in their positions.
After the resignation of the president, the RFEF will be directed by a management commission that will take the reins of the organization until new elections are held, already in 2024.
Statement from Luis Rubiales
Today at 9:30 p.m. I transmitted to the acting President, Mr. Pedro Rocha, my resignation from the position of President of the RFEF. I have also informed you that I have done the same with my position at UEFA so that my position in the Vice Presidency can be replaced.
After the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the procedures opened against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position.
Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football. Among other things, because there are de facto powers that will prevent my return.
There is the management of my team and, above all, the happiness that I have for the enormous privilege of these more than 5 years at the head of the RFEF.
I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this entire disproportionate campaign and, above all, I make this decision after having made sure that my departure will contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of 2030. , which will allow the largest event in the world to be brought to our country.
I must look forward, look to the future. Now there is something that occupies me firmly. I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power to make it prevail. My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing. From here I convey to all the workers, assembly members, federations and football people in general, a big hug, wishing them the best of luck.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me during these times.
Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar