Spain: "I will not resign" (Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF)

"I will not resign," stated Luis Rubiales (ESP), president of the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF), five times at the body's extraordinary general meeting convened on Friday 25/08/2023 following the outcry caused by his behaviour during the presentation ceremony for the Women's World Cup 2023, won by Spain (1-0 versus England) on 20/08/2023.

As the Spanish players greeted the match officials one by one before being presented with the World Cup trophy, Luis Rubiales kissed La Roja striker Jenni Hermoso on the mouth against her will. It was an image that caused outrage not only in Spain, but also internationally, in a general context of promoting the fight against sexist and sexual violence against women.

Calls for the resignation of the RFEF president, who also behaved in an inappropriate manner in the official stand during the match, have since multiplied, but he has no plans to leave his post. "It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual" said the president, before attacking those who "are trying to kill him" and "are in the process of carrying out a social…