Sport
Rubiales Says He Will Resign Over Kiss Scandal
Suspended Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales said Sunday he will resign from his post because of the scandal caused by his kiss on the lips of a Women’s World Cup player.
“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 Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.
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, had filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.
In an open letter published by Rubiales on Sunday night, he said he had informed the federation he was also stepping down 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.
“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.”
Rubiales, who insists the kiss was consensual, said he did not want Spanish football to be hurt by “such a disproportionate campaign” against him.
“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails.”
Rubiales said his departure would contribute “stability” to the 2030 men’s World Cup bid in which Spain are involved.
The chief’s mother Angeles Bejar went on a hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son, locking herself in a church on August 28.
However two days later she was taken to hospital because she was feeling unwell.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered from the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods,” added Rubiales in his letter.
“But it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”
– Strike –
Over 80 players went on strike from the women’s side in protest after Rubiales’ fierce defensive speech following the incident, in which he railed against “false feminism”.
They said they would not return until the leadership of the RFEF (Spanish football federation) was changed — controversial women’s coach Jorge Vilda was sacked on Tuesday.
The RFEF also apologised for the “totally unacceptable behaviour” of Rubiales.
Vilda’s former assistant Montserrat Tome is the new coach — it is the first time a woman has led the team.
Spain’s women’s team are due to play Nations League qualifying matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26 respectively.
Meanwhile Spanish prosecutors’ lawsuit against Rubiales will be analysed by a National Court judge.
If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation which will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.
Under Spanish law, sexual assault includes a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different penalties.
The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.
Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, has said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part”.
She has also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak out in his defence immediately after the scandal over the kiss erupted, which prosecutors said could be considered a crime of coercion.
AFP
Ronaldo issued a statement through several Portuguese media outlets, explaining his reasons for withdrawing from the current Portugal national team training camp and apologizing to Portuguese fans.
In his statement, Ronaldo said that as captain, he should be disciplined by the Football Association. After serving his suspension, he stated he was always ready to play for his country. This indicates that Ronaldo does not plan to voluntarily retire from the Portuguese national team in the near term.
Excerpts from Ronaldo’s Statement
The consequences of my actions must be evaluated and punished by the Football Association, and I understand the penalty should not be reduced. I am not just a player; I am the team captain, which is an aggravating factor. I have apologized, but I know that every action must have consequences. Anyone in football, including me, knows that regardless of individual status, the rules apply to everyone equally.
But when I think of the national team, what I really think about is playing. That’s what was on my mind the day I learned of my father’s death. I was at the national team training camp then, and I decided to stay until the next day’s match was over. I have done things for my country that I would never do for any club.
So, if my physical condition allows me to play and score for my club, then after my suspension ends, I will be ready, as always, to play for the national team and win.
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Inter Lagos N5.25 million and deducted from them three points and three goals, following attacks on match officials after Sunday’s week 7 1-1 draw with visiting Katsina United.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NPFL on their X handle on Monday.
“Inter Lagos have been charged for breaching #NPFL27 Framework & Rules in the course of their Matchday 7 fixture vs Katsina United on Sunday, October 4, 2026,” the league body stated.
“The Lagos club failed to provide adequate & effective security during their home game, thereby allowing unauthorized persons to gain access to restricted areas leading to attacks on the match officials who were proceeding from the dressing room to their vehicle.
“Inter Lagos also failed to ensure proper conduct of their officials and supporters, leading to the match officials being held hostage for more than an hour after the match.
“Furthermore, Inter Lagos officials in company of some of their supporters intimidated, harassed & verbally abused the match officials, thereby engaging in acts capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
“Inter Lagos team manager, alongside some of the club’s supporters, assaulted the match officials, resulting in the first assistant referee sustaining an injury to the face & loss of personal items including damage to his mobile telephone.
“The club are fined N2 million for failing to provide adequate & effective security & another N1 million fine for holding the match officials hostage for more than an hour.
“Inter Lagos have also been fined N2 million for assault on the match officials & a further N250,000 fine as compensation to the affected assistant referee for the loss of his personal items, damage to his mobile phone & treatment to the injury he sustained following the incident.
“Three points and three goals shall be deducted from the accrued points & goals of Inter Lagos for assaulting & causing injury on the first assistant referee.
“Inter Lagos have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.”
Inter Lagos are currently in 19th on five points after seven matches played so far in the campaign.
Lionel Messi has completed his purchase of Spanish second division club CD Eldense.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is the second Spanish club that Argentina great Messi has invested in, with the 39-year-old having bought Catalan side Cornella in April.
“Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club’s history, which spans more than 100 years,” CD Eldense stated on their website., external
CD Eldense are 19th in the 22-team Spanish second division with one win and five points from their opening seven games.
Former Barcelona forward Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, plays for American club Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and announced his retirement from international football in August.
An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, he reached a “preliminary agreement” to become CD Eldense’s majority shareholder in September, with the process now complete.
“The arrival of one of the most important figures in the history of sport as owner of CD Eldense marks the beginning of a long-term project aimed at promoting the club’s sporting, institutional, and social development,” added the Alicante-based club
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