It’s been over three weeks since the Spain team claimed victory over England’s Lionesses in the women’s World Cup final, but the controversy surrounding the actions of Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales is only just beginning to conclude. 

After entering the tournament amid controversy surrounding their coach Jorge Vilda, the team lifted the World Cup, only to end up in the middle of yet another damning fiasco when Rubiales grabbed the head of star forward Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips.

From the Spanish football federation’s initial threat to sue Hermoso for lying and defamation to Rubiales’s mother locking herself in a Church and going on a hunger strike in protest of her son’s treatment, the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of developments that have overshadowed the success of both the Spanish team and the record-breaking tournament as a whole.

Yesterday, Rubiales confirmed he was resigning from his role as Spanish FA president, as well as as vice-president of Uefa’s executive committee.

In a statement, which he posted on Twitter after announcing his resignation on Piers Morgan’s Talk TV show, Rubiales said: “After the quick suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position.

“Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the Federation nor to Spanish football.”

However, following Hermoso’s decision to file a legal complaint last week, the case will continue to rumble on long after Rubiales’s departure. Indeed, as the case continues to develop, football is helping to bring to light important conversations about women’s sport and the politics of reporting sexual harassment. Here’s how the story has unfolded.  

Rubiales is pictured kissing Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup presentation

During the presentation of medals following Spain’s World Cup victory, Rubiales is captured on camera grabbing Hermoso by the head and planting a kiss on her lips. He is also pictured grabbing his crotch after Spain’s win was confirmed.

A statement released on Hermoso’s behalf appears to defend Rubiales’s actions

Despite saying on Instagram after the match that she “didn’t like” the kiss, a statement later released on behalf of Hermoso by the Spanish Federation called the moment “a natural gesture of affection”.

“It was a totally spontaneous mutual gesture because of the immense joy that winning a World Cup brings,” the statement, which was passed to the news agency AFP, began.

“The president and I have a great relationship, his behaviour with all of us has been outstanding and it was a natural gesture of affection and gratitude. A gesture of friendship and gratitude cannot be gone over so much, we have won a World Cup and we are not going to deviate from what is important.”

Rubiales issues an apology

On the day after the final (21 August), Rubiales issued an apology, saying his actions were “completely wrong”.

“It was without bad intention at a time with a lot of excitement,” he said. “In the moment, we saw it as natural, but outside a commotion has formed. I have to apologise, learn from this, and understand that when you are president you have to be more careful.” 

Rubiales refuses to resign, saying the kiss was ‘consensual’

Despite his initial apology, Rubiales said on Friday (27 August) that he would “fight to the end” following a week of criticism, including comments from Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s acting prime minister.

During an appearance at RFEF’s Extraordinary General Assembly, Rubiales attacked what he called “false feminism”, characterising himself as the victim of “social assassination”.

While he apologised for grabbing his crotch after the whistle had been blown, he went on to describe the kiss with Hermoso as “consensual” and repeated the words “I will not resign”.

“Jenni was the one who lifted me up,” he claimed. “I told her to ‘forget about the penalty’ and I said to her, ‘A little peck?’ and she said, ‘OK.’ It was a spontaneous kiss. Mutual, euphoric and consensual. That’s the key. A consensual ‘peck’ is enough to get me out of here? There are many people who, although silent, are supporting me. More than those who are against me.”

He continued: “I’m ready to be vilified to defend my ideals. I don’t deserve this manhunt I have been suffering.”

Hermoso releases a statement denying Rubiales’s claims 

Shortly after Rubiales’s speech on Friday, Hermoso released a statement describing her version of events. She said that after “a few days of reflection” she felt the need to speak out.

“Sadly, the ability to celebrate has been cut short,” the statement, released through the footballers’ union Futpro, which represents Hermoso, read.

“While it is true that I do not want to interfere with the multiple ongoing legal processes, I feel obliged to report that Mr Luis Rubiales’ words explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has created.”

It continued: “I want to make it clear that at no time did the conversation to which Mr Luis Rubiales refers to in his address take place, and, above all, was his kiss ever consensual. I want to reiterate as I did before that I did not like this incident.” 

Players from across the world share their support

Alongside further criticism from prominent figures inside Spain, players from across the world have spoken out in support of Hermoso following her statement.

That support included a statement from the Lionesses, who released a statement late on Friday. Players including Leah Williamson, Ella Toone and Lotte Wubben-Moy shared the statement on their social media accounts, which voiced support for Hermoso and the Spanish team. 

“Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation,” it began. “Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth.

“The behaviour of those who think they are invincible must not be tolerated and people shouldn’t need convincing to take action against any form of harassment.”

Other players including the US’s Alex Morgan, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and Canada’s Janine Beckie also expressed their anger at Rubiales’s actions.

Spanish players go on strike

In a show of solidarity for Hermoso and protest at Rubiales’s actions, a total of 81 women players – including Hermoso and the 23 other players in the World Cup squad – signed a letter saying they would not accept national team call-ups while Rubiales refused to resign.

Real Betis’s Borja Iglesias also announced he would join the boycott against Rubiales until the president is removed from his position.

The Spanish football federation threatens to sue Hermoso for lying and defamation

In a shocking response to Hermoso’s statement and the players’ strike, the RFEF said on Saturday that they would take legal action over the allegations being aimed at Rubiales.

“The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself,” a statement from the organisation read.

“The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions.” 

Fifa announces Rubiales is provisionally suspended

After opening disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales on Thursday (24 August), Fifa announced on Saturday (26 August) that the RFEF president would be suspended from all football-related activities for 90 days pending the organisation’s disciplinary proceedings.

The Fifa Disciplinary Committee also issued two directives preventing Rubiales from contacting Hermoso or any of her close friends and family.

Protestors take to the streets in support of Hermoso

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Madrid on Sunday to show their support for Hermoso and the Spanish football team and protest against the actions of Rubiales.

Protestors carried signs ranging from “Contigo Jenni” (with you, Jenni) and “#SeAcabo” (it’s over).

Rubiales’s mother goes on hunger strike

In one of the most shocking developments yet, Rubiales’s mother, Angeles Bejar, locked herself inside a church on Monday 28 August and said she was going on hunger strike in protest at what she called “the inhumane and bloody hunt” being carried out against her son.

She also asked Hermoso to tell the truth and “stick to the version she gave at the beginning”.

RFEF leaders call for Rubiales to resign

After initially backing Rubiales and threatening legal action, the RFEF asked the president to “immediately present his resignation”.

The federation also asked for “a deep and imminent organic restructuring in strategic positions of the federation to give way to a new stage of management in Spanish football”. 

Jenni Hermoso files a legal complaint

On 6 September, it was revealed that Hermoso has now filed a legal complaint over Rubiales’ kiss, an option given to her by Spain’s top criminal court after she claimed the kiss was not consensual. 

This move now means that Rubiales could face criminal charges. He has yet to comment on the latest development.

Luis Rubiales resigns

Speaking during an interview on Piers Morgan’s Talk TV show, Rubiales conceded: “I can’t continue”. 

In his extended statement, he said he hoped his resignation would stop harm from coming to Spanish football, and ensure Spain and Morocco’s ongoing World Cup bid would not be disrupted.

“I must look forward, look to the future,” he wrote. “Now there is something that concerns me firmly. I have faith in the truth and I will do everything be in my power to prevail. My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of persecution excessive, as well as many falsehoods, but it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.

“From here I transmit to all the workers, assembly members, federations and football people in general, a big hug, wishing you good luck. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during these times. Luis Manuel Rubiales Bejar.”

Images: Getty