Spanish FA chiefs demand Luis Rubiales quits after crisis summit with shamed kiss-row boss facing ‘sexual-assault’ probe

SPANISH football chiefs are finally demanding kiss-row president Luis Rubiales quits.

Rubiales, who is now facing a “sexual assault” probe, has refused to step down amid the furore over kissing Spanish World Cup-winning star Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the trophy presentation.

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Luis Rubiales is under pressure after he kissed Jenni Hermoso as Spain received their medals and trophy for winning the women’s World Cup[/caption]

EPA

Protests against Spanish FA president Rubiales and in support of their World Cup-winning striker Hermoso include this huge march in Madrid[/caption]

AP

An anti-Rubiales movement in Spain is also making a general point[/caption]

Reuters

Rubiales announced at the end of last week he would stay in his post but that stance looks inceasingly difficult to maintain[/caption]

The sport’s world rulers Fifa have provisionally suspended him and launched proceedings.

Now Spain’s regional football presidents have announced after a crisis meeting on Monday Rubiales must go as he has “seriously damaged the image” of the sport in Spain with his “unacceptable behaviour”.

Just three days earlier the 46-year-old won a standing ovation from part of the Spanish FA.

But the country’s football big-wigs appear to have had a change of heart as pressure on Rubiales soars.

The Spanish FA’s regional presidents held a five-hour meeting on Monday – concluding he should resign IMMEDIATELY.

In a lengthy statement they said: “After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviors that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Mr. Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF.”

It follows a growing range of protests from across Spain and the football world against Rubiales.

He was pictured appearing to pull Hermoso in at the final ceremony after Spain beat England 1-0 in the women’s World Cup final last week, before embracing and kissing her.

Not known, clear with picture desk

This is the moment Rubiales stunned the football world, leading to heavy criticism of support for him and an outpouring of support for Hermoso[/caption]

AFP

Protestors held signs reading ‘Rubiales and macho mafia out’ and ‘Feminist and anticapitalist, free and combative’[/caption]

He was also seen grabbing his crotch at the same event in Sydney. Prosecutors – who have launched a preliminary criminal investigation into a possible sexual assaullt over the kiss, have received a complaint about “obscene exhibitionism before a minor” over that incident.

Spain’s Princess Infanta Sofía was nearby when he carried out the act.

Hermoso, 33, was furious when Rubiales claimed the kiss after the game was “consensual”.

She hit back with a statement explaining she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” straight after the incident.

Rubiales did apologise, saying: “I’ve no doubt made a mistake and I have to admit it”.

But he then insisted he had no intention of leaving his post.

That defiance, however, has only helped to deepen the outrage at his actions, as well as sparking wider criticism of his leadership.

The Lionesses and LaLiga clubs joined in the surge of protests, with the public and politicians also voicing their displeasure.

And the whole coaching team of Spain’s World Cup winners quit, except for manager Jorge Vilda.

But Rubiales’ mum Angeles Bejar has taken drastic action to support him.

The retired hairdresser has locked herself in a church, going on a hunger strike and demanding Hermoso tells the truth “over an inhumane witch-hunt”.

Aroudn 200 supporters last night gathered near the church to back her son, causing police to shut off nearby roads.

EPA

Angeles Bejar chats to a friend at la Divina Pastora church in Motril, Granada, where she has locked herself in to support her under-fire son Rubiales[/caption]