Jenni Hermoso has received an emotional welcome back to her Mexican club just hours after Luis Rubiales resigned as Spanish FA President.
Mr Rubiales has been under fire since kissing Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup win three weeks ago, which she said was non-consensual.
In a statement the 46-year-old said his position had become untenable. His departure was later confirmed by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which had previously called for him to resign.
Read more: Who is Luis Rubiales?
Mr Rubiales said he had also resigned as one of UEFA’s vice presidents.
Just hours later, Hermoso was back in action for her Mexican club side Pachuca, where she was applauded onto the field and presented with a framed No. 10 jersey.
Prior to the match, players from both teams made a corridor for the star player, while a huge banner celebrating the world title was unfurled in the Hidalgo stadium.
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It is the first time attacking midfielder has played since lifting the World Cup trophy on August 20. Mr Rubiales’ conduct at the final has caused widespread criticism and led to him being suspended by FIFA.
Mr Rubiales said he would continue to defend his innocence.
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Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I will defend my honourability. I will defend my innocence. I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth. Thank you all.”
Rubiales also said his family has suffered and he must now look to the future.
Asked what led him to make the decision to quit, Rubiales said in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV: “My father, my daughters, I spoke with them… Some friends, very close to me, they say ‘Luis, you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life, because you know probably that you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love’.
“But this is more a question of not only me, the attitude of me can affect third parties that are very important.”
Spain’s Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos told Spain’s Cadena SER radio: “The former president of the Spanish soccer federation has done what he had to do.
“I think it is what practically the entirety of Spanish society had asked him to do.”
Spain’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, wrote on X: “The feminist country is advancing faster and faster. The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”
Irene Montero, the acting minister of equality in Spain, simply posted: “It’s over”. The phrase became a slogan for those campaigning against sexism in sport.
The resignation follows the Spanish prosecutor filing a lawsuit against Mr Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.
Marta Durantez Gil’s decision came after Hermoso filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office, accusing him of sexual assault..
As a result, Mr Rubiales could face criminal charges, in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain’s top sport court for “serious misconduct” and the investigation by FIFA.
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.
