Luis Rubiales submitted his resignation as RFEF president this Sunday. The Andalusian leader confirmed that he would send a letter to Pedro Rocha, who serves as interim president, at 21:30 tonight to inform him of his decision to step down from the position for which FIFA had suspended him.
When this moved became clear, he also resigned as UEFA vice president. He acknowledged that returning to duty would not be possible after FIFA’s rapid suspension. The day before, the National Court Prosecutor’s Office filed a complaint for sexual assault and coercion following Jenni Hermoso’s accusation. The president stated that persisting with delays would not help the federation or Spanish football, and he pointed to forces he did not name that could block his return.
He spoke of looking forward and focusing on the future. He expressed faith in the truth and promised to do everything in his power to ensure it prevails. He thanked his daughters, his family, and the people who supported him, noting that they faced extreme cruelty and many lies, even as more truth began to emerge in public discourse. In a statement, Rubiales also referred to a recent English interview with The Sun, published minutes before his formal statement, in which he described advice from his family. He said he needed to protect his dignity and move on with his life to avoid causing harm to loved ones, the sport he cherishes, and the work he had built over the years. (Source: press coverage compiled from multiple outlets.)
The resignation ended Rubiales’ tenure as head of the RFEF and came three weeks after he kissed Jenni Hermoso without her consent and allegedly exposed her to inappropriate behavior at the Women’s World Cup final. Critics labeled the incident and subsequent actions as harmful, and Rubiales attempted to mitigate the backlash with an apology video in which he shared responsibility with Hermoso, insisting the kiss was not the intention of either party. (Source: incident coverage by major outlets.)
In the days that followed, government pressure, along with sports and societal scrutiny, intensified. Rubiales told close associates that he would resign at the meeting held on Friday, but he initially proclaimed that he would not resign during a speech marked by controversial remarks. The following day FIFA suspended him for 90 days, representing the strongest disciplinary blow he faced during this period. The government also considered a suspension, yet authorities found no serious fault that would justify removing him from office. (Reported by several legal and sports outlets.)
Meanwhile, Jorge Vilda was relieved of his duties as women’s coach, and Pedro Rocha began minor administrative changes at the RFEF that were seen as cosmetic while Rubiales’ trusted aides continued to hold their positions. After the president’s departure, the RFEF would be governed by a management commission until elections were held in 2024.
Statement from Luis Rubiales
At 21:30, Rubiales informed Deputy President Pedro Rocha of his resignation as RFEF President and also conveyed that he had stepped down from his UEFA Vice Presidency to realign his position. He noted that he would not be able to resume duties after FIFA’s suspension and other ongoing proceedings.
He argued that clinging to the post would not bring value to the federation or Spanish football, citing existing forces that would prevent his return. He spoke of the satisfaction gained from leading his team and the privilege of heading the RFEF for more than five years. He also said he did not want Spanish football to suffer from a biased campaign and believed his departure could contribute to stability, supporting continued collaboration between Europe and Africa ahead of the 2030 World Cup in his country.
Rubiales emphasized looking ahead with a focus on the future, reiterating his belief in the truth and vowing to do everything possible to see it prevail. He extended gratitude to his daughters, family, and supporters who faced harsh scrutiny, while noting that truth was increasingly evident to the public. He sent appreciation to workers, council members, federations, and the broader football community and wished them success.
Thanks were extended to everyone who stood by him during these times.
Luis Manuel Rubiales Béjar