President of the Spanish Football Federation Stands Firm; I Will Not Resign Over a 'Consensual Kiss'

While global media reported yesterday about the resignation of the President of the Spanish Football Federation due to a 'forbidden kiss', Luis Rubiales apologized for his actions on Friday, September 3, but stated that he would not resign. Meanwhile, the players of the Spanish women's national football team announced that they would refrain from playing for the national team until the president of the football federation is removed. Luis Rubiales, who kissed the lips of Jennifer Hermoso, a player from his national team, during the medal and trophy presentation ceremony for the women's football team at the World Cup, has faced widespread criticism and a FIFA disciplinary investigation. European media reported on Thursday that the president of the Spanish Football Federation was forced to resign, stating that Rubiales would officially leave his position after five years of service as of Friday, August 25. However, on Friday, Agence France-Presse reported that Luis Rubiales shouted three times during an emergency meeting of his federation: 'I will not resign.' He also stated: 'Do you think a consensual kiss is enough to throw me out of here? I will fight until the end.' He further accused his critics of attempting a 'character assassination' and added: 'That kiss was like kissing your child.' However, Jennifer Hermoso, a player on the Spanish national football team, rejected Rubiales' claims of a 'consensual kiss,' stating that she did not give her 'consent' for Rubiales to kiss her. Simultaneously, 56 players, including Ms. Hermoso and all 23 players from the Spanish women's national football team who participated in the recent Women's World Cup, issued a joint statement expressing their anger at the president's behavior and his refusal to resign, describing Rubiales' actions as 'inappropriate and anti-woman' and demanding his removal from the presidency of the football federation. The consequences of the 'forbidden kiss'; the President of the Spanish Football Federation was forced to resign. The aftermath of the controversial kiss; FIFA opens a disciplinary case against the President of the Spanish Football Federation. The controversial kiss in the Women's World Cup final; the Prime Minister of Spain: An apology is not enough.