Regional presidents of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) have called for the immediate resignation of embattled president Luis Rubiales.

This comes days after the federation’s members applauded Rubiales as he vowed not to resign in the aftermath of his World Cup controversy. Rubiales has come under fire for his unsolicited kiss of Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso after the team’s World Cup win. Following the incident, he insisted the kiss was consensual, while Hermoso has maintained that it was not.

FIFA has suspended Rubiales for 90 days during its investigation, but the world soccer governing body is reportedly seeking a 15-year ban. The Spanish government has also sought Rubiales’ removal, and prosecutors are investigating the incident as possible sexual assault.

Through it all, Rubiales has said he will not resign. In front of the RFEF last Friday, he railed against “fake feminism” in a speech that was met with a standing ovation.

Following the speech, the RFEF issued a statement saying that it would seek legal action against Hermoso, accusing her of lying about the circumstances of the kiss. That statement was later deleted.

On Monday, a committee consisting of the RFEF’s regional federation presidents met for five hours to discuss next steps.

“After the latest events and unacceptable behavior that have severely damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents ask, with immediate effect, that Luis Rubiales presents his resignation as president of the RFEF,” the regional presidents said in a statement released Monday night.

One committee member, Manu Díaz de Marcos, told broadcaster Cadena Ser that the regional presidents had not considered the idea of a no-confidence motion in Rubiales, which would have brought an end to his presidency.

The statement does not mention Hermoso by name, although it does call for a “new phase” for the federation and a “deep and imminent restructuring” of the RFEF body. The players of the Spain women’s national team have refused to return without a leadership change.

U.S. women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe is applauding the international censuring of Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales over his nonconsensual kiss of Jenni Hermoso and his subsequent refusal to resign.

Rubiales, who claims the kiss was consensual, has said he will not stepped down from his post. But FIFA has suspended him for 90 days pending its investigation into his actions, and Rubiales’ posturing has been met with contempt from the global soccer community.

The players of the World Cup-winning Spain women’s national team have refused to return while Rubiales is still in place, while 11 members of the coaching staff have resigned from their posts. After the resignation of his staff, head coach Jorge Vilda condemned Rubiales’ actions, though Vilda has not resigned.

On Sunday, Rapinoe applauded the “global backlash” against Rubiales, she told reporters after OL Reign’s match.

“He’s trying to fight back and everyone’s like, absolutely f—ing not. … So I think that speaks a lot to the progress we have made,” she said. “I think it’s almost so absurd that he’s continuing down this track. Having men’s players speak out about [it], obviously Xavi, the Barcelona head coach spoke about it. To have figures like that, I think just shows how backward his response was. … Hopefully it’ll be dealt with quickly so they can get back to celebrating their World Cup.”

Other NWSL players also felt encouraged by the support for Hermoso, including Angel City FC and New Zealand captain Ali Riley.

“What gives me hope is to see most of the world coming together and I still think that as a collective voice as women with our male allies now who are coming forward, we can’t be ignored,” she said, adding that she hopes Hermoso “feels the support.”

Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey also reiterated the importance of standing behind Hermoso. NWSL players wore wristbands emblazoned with “Contigo Jenni” during the weekend’s matches, and other clubs worldwide also expressed their support.

“I don’t think I can put into words how important it is,” Coffey said. “I’m just in awe of the women in this league and the way that we’ve come together to just rally behind her.”

Every day it seems like something “more repulsive” is revealed about the RFEF and “the hell” that Hermoso and Spanish women’s players have had to go through, Coffey said. She also called out the tragedy of Spain’s World Cup win being overshadowed “by the failings of the men of their federation.”

“It’s a tale as old as time,” she said. “Ultimately, though, I do feel hope regarding the situation and that action is going to be taken. … I think it’s the support of the women around you that gets you through something like this. I’m just so glad we can rally around her and ultimately bring more of a voice and more of a light to the situation because it has no place here.”

Luis Rubiales is being investigated by Spanish prosecutors over whether his unsolicited kiss of World Cup star Jenni Hermoso should be considered sexual assault.

Rubiales, who serves as president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), has come under fire for his kiss of Hermoso after the World Cup final. Prosecutors in Spain’s top criminal court have opened a preliminary investigation into the incident.

While Rubiales contends that the kiss was consensual, Hermoso repeatedly has said that it was not. The court is opening its investigation due to the “unequivocal nature” of Hermoso’s statements, noting that they needed to “determine their legal significance,” per a statement released Monday.

Additionally, Hermoso will be contacted by legal experts to give her the option to pursue legal action against Rubiales.

“In order to proceed with a case for sexual assault, harassment or sexual abuse, it will be necessary for the injured party or their legal representative to file suit, or the public prosecutors’ office,” the statement read.

On Friday, Rubiales was suspended for 90 days by FIFA after he refused to resign from his position. While Rubiales is also a vice president for UEFA, the European football association has denied the RFEF’s request to have itself suspended due to what the federation claimed to be government interference.

The entirety of the Spain women’s national team and countless other players have said they will not return to the team “if the current leaders continue.” All the members of head coach Jorge Vilda’s staff also have resigned, though not Vilda himself.

Officials within the Spanish government also have criticized Rubiales, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who called the RFEF president’s conduct “unacceptable.”

The RFEF also called an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting Monday “to evaluate the situation in which the federation finds itself.”

The mother of Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales has gone on a hunger strike in protest of what she called an “inhuman, bloodthirsty witch hunt” against her son.

Ángeles Béjar shut herself inside the church of the Divine Shepherdess in Rubiales’ hometown of Motril, Spain, on Monday, EFE reported. Rubiales’ cousin confirmed the news. On Friday, Rubiales was suspended 90 days by FIFA over his unsolicited kiss of star midfielder Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final, while the Spanish government’s sports council is seeking his removal from office.

Rubiales has refused to resign, insisting that his kiss of Hermoso was consensual. Hermoso, meanwhile, has maintained that it was not, and has been threatened with legal action by Rubiales and the RFEF.

Béjar has said her protest will continue “indefinitely, day and night,” until her son was vindicated, EFE reported. “There is no sexual abuse since there is consent on both sides, as the images prove,” she told the Spanish news agency. “My son is incapable of hurting anyone.”

Rubiales’ cousin, Vanessa Ruiz Béjar, confirmed the news to Teledeporte, saying of the situation: “To say that there is harassment is not fair.”

“That his mom, who is a person of great faith, has taken refuge in God and is on a hunger strike and does not want to leave the church. That his family is suffering very much on his behalf. It is not fair what is happening,” she continued. “He has been judged ahead of time and he should be left in peace. We want Jenni to tell the truth. Why has she changed her story three times? Our family has been harassed. This woman should tell the truth. Jenni, you should tell the truth. We want Jenni to tell the truth.

“The way they are treating with him, the aggression, the feminists, the television, it seems to me shameful. All the people who are taking advantage of the situation, it is shameful.”

Rubiales’ refusal to quit was met with the resignation of 11 members of the coaching staff for the women’s team. After the mass resignation, head coach Jorge Vilda finally condemned Rubiales’ actions, though he has not resigned. Many club teams, including those in the NWSL and Spain’s La Liga, showed their support for Hermoso over the weekend.

In response, the Spanish football federation has called an “extraordinary and urgent” meeting over the situation. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, with the agenda described as “analyzing and evaluating the current situation.”

Acting equality minister Irene Montero called for an “exemplary response” on Monday, noting that “all of [Spanish] society” expects for action to be taken.

Prosecutors in Spain have opened a preliminary sex abuse investigation into Rubiales’ actions.

Men’s and women’s soccer teams across Spain are uniting to condemn Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation, has been under fire since he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during Spain’s World Cup celebration. The kiss was non-consensual, Hermoso said, and though Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by FIFA for 90 days, he has refused to resign from his post.

Soccer players across Spain are now showing their support for Hermoso.

Two men’s teams showed their support. Before Cadiz’ match against Almeria, players held up a banner saying “We Are All With Jenni.” Then, Sevilla’s players donned T-Shirts that read “This is over,” before a match against Girona, echoing Alexis Putellas’ social media message condemning Rubiales.

Women’s players have gotten involved in Spain, too. After Leicy Santos scored the game-winner for Atletico against Milan on Saturday, she celebrated by holding up Hermoso’s jersey and pointing to Hermoso in the crowd.

Hermoso broke her silence of Rubiales’ actions in a statement released Friday.

“I have been under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Mr. Luis Rubiales’s’ actions,” she said in the statement. “Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured my surroundings (family, friends, teammates, etc.) to give a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings.

“I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sports in this country,” she wrote. “Under no circumstances can it be my responsibility to bear the consequences of conveying something I do not believe in, which is why I have refused the pressures received.”

Luis Rubiales has lost a powerful ally.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda on Saturday broke with Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF), condemning Rubiales’ “inappropriate behavior.”

Rubiales gave Spain star Jenni Hermoso an unsolicited kiss during the team’s World Cup medal ceremony, sparking mass criticism for the global soccer community. Rubiales in recent days has resisted calls to resign and has instead said Hermoso is lying.

“The events that have taken place since Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history and to this day have been a real nonsense and have generated an unprecedented situation, tarnishing a well-deserved victory for our players and our country,” Vilda said in a statement. “I regret deeply that the victory of Spanish women’s football has been harmed by the inappropriate behaviour that our until now top leader, Luis Rubiales, has carried out and that he himself has recognised.”

Last year, 15 players criticized Vilda’s management style in a letter written to the RFEF. Rubiales decided then to back Vilda, but now, Vilda has turned on his boss after he was provisionally suspended for 90 days by FIFA.

Following the suspension, Rafael del Amo, RFEF’s vice president, resigned, and so did four assistants for Spain’s senior team, two from the women’s youth teams and five staff members across the senior and youth women’s team.

“There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular,” Vilda said in the statement.”I condemn without doubt any macho attitude, [which should be] far from an advanced and developed society. A clearly undesirable climate has been generated, far from what should have been a great celebration of Spanish sport and women’s sport.

“I reiterate my unwavering commitment to promoting a sport that is a model of equality and respect in our society.”

Despite Luis Rubiales’ denial of wrongdoing for his unsolicited kiss of Jenni Hermoso, a wave of support is forming for Hermoso.

During Spain’s celebration of its World Cup win, Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) kissed Hermoso on the lips. Rubiales has said it was consensual, which Hermoso denies.

Now several more in the soccer community are chiming in to offer support for Hermoso.

“Gotham FC stands with Jenni Hermoso and the Spanish Women’s National Team players. We celebrate their spectacular play and monumental achievement of winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” NJ/NY Gotham FC said in a statement. “Mr. Rubiales has tainted and overshadowed the Spanish Women’s National Team’s moment by his unacceptable conduct. We condemn him and the inaction of those in power who fail to hold him accountable. We join the global soccer community in using our voice to help end abuse in the women’s game.”

Spain defeated England, 1-0, in the World Cup final. The English national team issued a statement condemning Hermoso.

“Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation. Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth,” the statement read. “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. We stand with you, Jenni Hermoso and all players of the Spanish team.”

Christen Press, the USWNT veteran and Angel FC star, offered a terse, but impactful statement.

“Women should not have to win to have our voices heard,” Press wrote on X.

Luis Rubialies is refusing calls to resign from his post as president of the Spanish soccer federation, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune from disciplinary action.

On Saturday, FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales from all soccer-related activities for 90 days. Hermoso has come under fire for kissing Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the team’s World Cup medal ceremony. Hermoso has said the kiss was non-consensual.

“The chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio (Colombia), in use of the powers granted by article 51 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), has decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level,” FIFA said in a statement. “This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days, pending the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr. Luis Rubiales on Thursday, Aug. 24.

“Likewise, the RFEF and its officials or employees, directly or through third parties, are ordered to refrain from contacting the professional player of the Spanish national team Ms. Jennifer Hermoso and her close environment.”

The federation issued a statement in response to the suspension.

“Luis Rubiales has stated that he will legally defend himself in the competent bodies, he fully trusts FIFA and reiterates that, in this way, he is given the opportunity to begin his defense so that the truth prevails and his complete innocence is proven.”

In another statement from RFEF released Saturday, the federation doubled down on its condemnation of Hermoso.

“The facts are what they are and, no matter how many statement you put out to distort reality, it is impossible to change what happened,” the statement read. “The peck was with consent. Consent is given at the moment with the conditions of the moment. Afterwards you can think that you have made a mistake, but you cannot change the reality.”

The Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) and its president Luis Rubiales are not backing down.

Rubiales, who has come under fire for kissing Spain defender Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the team’s World Cup win, a gesture that Hermoso has said was non-consensual, has said he will not resign despite massive outcry for his removal.

In a statement, the federation said it was prepared to take “necessary legal action,” adding that “playing for the national team is an obligation on any member of the federation called upon to do so.”

Eighty-one players signed a letter Friday stating they would reject playing for the national team until RFEF leadership is changed.

“The evidence is conclusive. Mr. President has not lied,” the statement read. “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.”

The statement also included pictures of the medal ceremony, alongside descriptions of Hermoso and Rubiales’ body language, meant to invalidate Hermoso’s claims. Rubiales has referred to the incident as an example of “false feminism.”

“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 generated,” Hermoso said in a statement. “I believe that no person, in any work, sports, or social setting should be a victim of an impulsive-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.

“Simply put I was not respected.”

Jenni Hermoso is done keeping quiet.

After Spain’s victory in the World Cup final last week, Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer, was kissed on the lips by Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF). Hermoso downplayed the incident at first, but not anymore.

“The situation shocked me given the celebrations that were taking place at the moment, and with the passage of time and after delving a little deeper into those initial feelings, I feel the need to report this incident because I believe that no person, in any work, sports or social setting should be the victim of those types of non-consensual behaviors,” Hermoso said in a statement. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part.”

The gesture quickly sparked widespread condemnation, prompting Rubiales to apologize in a video disseminated to the media, and insisted it was “consensual.”

In her latest statement, Hermoso denied “his kiss was ever consensual.”

“I have been under continuous pressure to make a statement that could justify Mr. Luis Rubiales’ actions,” she said. “Not only that, but in different ways and through different people, the RFEF has pressured my surroundings (family, friends, teammates, etc.) to give a testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings.”

Hermoso added that she will join her teammates in refraining from playing for Spain while “the current leaders remain.”

“I do not have to support the person who has committed this action against my will, without respecting me, at a historic moment for me and for women’s sports in this country,” she wrote. “Under no circumstances can it be my responsibility to bear the consequences of conveying something I do not believe in, which is why I have refused the pressures received.”