Spanish Football Federation asks president Rubiales to quit for Hermoso kiss

MADRID - Regional leaders of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have called for Luis Rubiales to resign as RFEF president following a scandal caused by his kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain's Women's World Cup victory, reported Xinhua.

The leaders issued a statement after a meeting on Monday night, stating: "After recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the (regional) presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF."

Rubiales was suspended as RFEF president for 90 days by FIFA after refusing to resign during a defiant speech at an RFEF meeting on Friday. Former vice-president Pedro Rocha has since been placed in charge.

The regional leaders expressed their "unanimous support" for Rocha, urging "the relevant authorities to carry out a profound and imminent organisational restructuring in strategic positions of the federation to usher in a new era in Spanish football management".

State prosecutors announced on Monday they would investigate Rubiales' kiss on Hermoso, which the player insisted was not consensual as Rubiales claimed, as a possible "sexual assault".

Meanwhile, hundreds protested in Madrid against Rubiales, demanding for his resignation and showing support for Hermoso.

Monday also saw Rubiales' mother declare she would embark on a hunger strike to protest what she described as the "unwarranted, inhumane and bloodthirsty persecution" of her son, whom she insisted was "innocent" and "was incapable of hurting anyone". - BERNAMA