Spanish football boss resigns after World Cup kiss storm

The World Cup kiss scandal has taken a massive twist with a shock resignation announced in an explosive tell-all interview.

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales. Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.

Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has sensationally resigned in a bombshell tell-all interview with Piers Morgan.

The suspended football boss on Monday morning quit his position in the wake of the explosive World Cup scandal after he kissed Spanish star Jenni Hermoso following the country’s World Cup win.

“I’m going to (resign), yes, because I cannot continue my work,” said Rubiales in an interview with television show “Piers Morgan Uncensored”.

“(Family and friends) say to me ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and continue your life. If not you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love’.”

Rubiales, 46, sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing midfielder Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s victory in the World Cup final on August 20 in Sydney.

Luis Rubiales appeared to jump into Jenni Hermoso's arms during the medal ceremony. Picture: Twitter

The chief was suspended by FIFA provisionally for 90 days, while Spanish public prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for sexual assault and coercion earlier this week.

Hermoso, 33, filed a complaint at the National Court on Wednesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

In a letter sent by Rubiales to the federation on Sunday night, he also said he was resigning as a vice-president of European football governing body UEFA.

“After the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the procedures opened against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” said Rubiales in the letter.

President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso of Spain. Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.

Luis Rubiales has resigned as Spanish Football Federation president. Picture: Franck Fife/AFP

Rubiales carries Athenea del Castillo Beivide as Spain celebrates winning the Women's World Cup in Sydney. Picture: David Gray/AFP

“Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither for the federation nor for Spanish football.

“Among other things, because there are powers that be that will prevent my return.”

Morgan posted on Twitter the explosive interview will air this week.

“Luis Rubiales flew to London today for a 2-hour interview with me in which he announced his resignation,” Morgan posted.

“It’s a raw, powerful, emotional conversation about THAT kiss, and crotch grab, which have made him the world’s most infamous man.”

Rubiales last week launched an extraordinary attack in his first public statement following his fiery defensive speech in which he refused to resign.

Spain's national football team newly appointed head coach Luis de la Fuente (R) shakes hand with the President of the Spanish Football federation Luis Rubiale. Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP.

A protester holds a sign reading ‘Be glad that we ask for equality not vengeance’ during a demonstration to support Jenni Hermoso in Madrid on August 28. Picture: Oscar Del Pozo/AFP

“During all this time I have suffered an unprecedented lynching by news outlets and politicians that has completely marginalised me. Not just in Spain but internationally,” Rubiales said in his statement published on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The football official continues to argue the kiss was consensual, also insisted he was “advancing the feminist cause” and claimed his case would be significant for “real victims of aggression”.

“I have been deliberately sidelined. But I have presented all the relevant images that show the facts. That evidence will ignore opinions and clear my name,” he said.

“I want to send a message to all the good people in our country and beyond our borders, including those women who have really been attacked and who have my full support and understanding: this is not about gender, it is about truth.”