The bid has been strongly favored to win the hosting rights in a campaign that FIFA wants decided by late 2024.Īn election to replace Rubiales on the UEFA ruling committee can be held in Madrid next February when the Spanish federation hosts the next annual meeting of UEFA member federations. “I don’t want Spanish soccer to be hurt by this exaggerated campaign against me, and above all, I take this decision after being assured that my exit would help contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to stay united for their dream of 2030, which will permit the greatest sporting event in the world to go to our country,” he said. Rubiales, who had led the bid, appears to have finally agreed, according to his statement, while still maintaining his belief that he was being too harshly judged. Spain’s government had expressed its concerns that Rubiales would end up hurting Spain’s joint bid to host the 2030 edition of the men’s World Cup. UEFA has taken no action against Rubiales, even after FIFA opened a disciplinary case 18 days ago. He first had to be elected onto UEFA’s executive committee by European soccer federations. Rubiales will also resign as a vice president at UEFA, the European soccer body which pays him 250,000 euros ($268,000) annually in a job he was appointed to in 2019. She helped Barcelona win the 2021 Women’s Champions League, and came second in Ballon d’Or voting to teammate Alexia Putellas that same year. Hermoso, 33, now plays for Mexican club Pachuca after a long career in Europe. Spain beat Sweden in the World Cup semifinals. 2-ranked Spain is scheduled to start the Women’s Nations League on Sept. The firing of the unpopular women's team coach was not enough by itself for them to come back. “Insisting in waiting and hanging on would not contribute anything positive (for) either the federation or Spanish soccer, among other reasons, because the powers that be would stop me from returning (to my job),” Rubiales said in his statement.Īfter Rubiales accused Hermoso of lying about what he said was a kiss she had consented to, Spain's women world champions, along with dozens of players, refused to play again for their country until there were changes in the federation's leadership. His own federation also publicly asked him to step down.Īfter Spain’s state prosecutors opened the door to him facing criminal charges – and even possible prison time if convicted - Rubiales finally agreed to resign. Those included the coaches of Spain’s women’s and men’s teams. Rubiales' public supporters - other than his mother, who held a short-lived hunger strike in a church in southern Spain - soon abandoned him. The uproar against Rubiales coincides with a strike by Spain's women's league as its players call for higher wages. Rubiales' behavior at one of soccer's premier global events had drawn scorn from Spain's politicians, its soccer leagues, clubs, players and fans, amid talk of a "Me Too" movement in Spanish soccer. That led FIFA to provisionally suspend him just one day later the Spanish government starting a motion to have him ruled unfit to hold his office and Hermoso's accusation of sexual assault. 25 speech before his federation's general assembly, he refused to go quietly and claimed he was victim of a "witch hunt" by "false feminists." Two weeks ago, Rubiales had been expected to step down amid the immediate wave of criticism for his conduct at the final, which included a lewd gesture of grabbing his crotch, with Spain's Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter, Princess Sofía, nearby. “In this situation now, (it is) the thing I have to do.” and some friends very close to me, and they say to me ‘Luis, now you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life, because if not, probably you are going to damage people you love, and the sport you love,’" Rubiales told Morgan. “My father, my daughters, I spoke with them. Clips from the show were released Sunday at a similar time to Rubiales' social media post appearing. The Spanish federation confirmed Rubiales’ resignation in a statement, adding that it would follow its statutes and call an election for a new president.Īlso Sunday, Rubiales said “I am going to (resign), I cannot continue my work,” in reply to a question from TV host Piers Morgan on Britain’s TalkTV. 26 - of his resignation late Sunday night. Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha - who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. Rubiales said he had also resigned as UEFA vice president due to the reputational danger the scandal could inflict on Spain's joint bid to host the 2030 men's World Cup along with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine.
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