Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales has said he will resign after he kissed a player following the country’s Women’s World Cup win.
Rubiales said he plans to resign in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV, adding he “cannot continue my work”.
His decision comes after the Spanish football federation previously called for him to step down following the incident.
The 46-year-old faced widespread criticism for kissing player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the competition’s final on 20 August.
Spain’s women’s football team had said they would not play any further matches for their country until Mr Rubiales had been removed from his post.
The resignation follows the Spanish prosecutor filing a lawsuit against him for sexual assault and coercion.
Marta Durantez Gil’s decision came after Hermoso filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office. She accused Mr Rubiales of sexual assault after he grabbed her head and kissed her on the lips.
Morocco earthquake latest: CCTV shows moment earthquake struck; warning aftershocks could last months
Morocco earthquake: Inside Amizmiz, the tourist town ‘ripped apart’ and ‘expecting 2,000 dead’
Ukraine war: More than 30 Russian drones launched on Kyiv in overnight air strikes
With the complaint, Mr Rubiales could face criminal charges, in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain‘s top sport court for “serious misconduct” and an investigation by FIFA, which has provisionally suspended him.
It is up to the court to present formal charges. A sexual assault charge carries a prison term of between one and four years in Spain.
The footballer has repeatedly said the kiss was not consensual, but a defiant Mr Rubiales had previously refused to resign, saying it was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”.
The 46-year-old previously admitted he made “some obvious mistakes” that he sincerely regrets, but claimed there was no aggression or discomfort when the kiss occurred.
“There was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both,” Mr Rubiales said.
“The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consented act, the product of great enthusiasm.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
