Several media reports claimed Thursday that Spanish football leader Luis Rubiales will resign after being roundly vilified by the football world and beyond for forcibly kissing a Spain player on the lips after the Women's World Cup final.
According to sources, Rubiales, 46, will retire as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Friday before an emergency general session.
Rubiales kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Spain's 1-0 victory over England in the final in Sydney on Sunday. He also celebrated his victory by grasping his genitals.
The RFEF did not react quickly to an AFP request for comment.
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"Feminism is changing everything," tweeted Irene Montero, Spain's Minister for Equality, on social media shortly after the accusations surfaced.
Rubiales faced unprecedented pressure to resign, with days of condemnation coming from leaders such as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain's women's league, and some men's La Liga clubs, as well as from around the world.
Rubiales was charged with misconduct by FIFA on Thursday. The event "may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA disciplinary code," according to FIFA.
On Wednesday, Spain's Hermoso issued a joint statement with the union Futpro calling for action against the RFEF president.
"We are working to ensure that acts such as those we have seen never go unpunished, that they are sanctioned, and that exemplary measures are adopted to protect women footballers from actions that we believe are unacceptable," the statement added.
Amnesty International, a human rights organization, backed Hermoso on Thursday.
"Amnesty International wishes to express its support for the demands of the player, who has requested that the (RFEF) initiate 'exemplary measures' regarding the non-consensual kiss," the organization said.
"(We) emphasize that this behavior is a form of sexual violence, like any other, and cannot be justified in any way."
Earlier last week, Rubiales dismissed the event, calling his critics "idiots" for reading too much into what an RFEF spokesperson initially described to AFP as a "spontaneous celebration."
However, he apologized, which was also criticized, with Prime Minister Sanchez calling it "insufficient."
