On Sunday night, Luis Rubiales announced that he would resign as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) — 21 days after his unsolicited kiss on Jennifer Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.
The pressure on Rubiales had been building since that night in Sydney, when he also grabbed his crotch in the stands while celebrating Spain’s win and hoisted another player, Athenea del Castillo, over his shoulders. Now he is finally gone, despite telling an RFEF assembly on August 25 “I’m NOT going to resign” five times.
So, what happened to change Rubiales’ mind? What’s next for the RFEF as it looks to move past this scandal? And will it be enough to convince Spain’s World Cup winners to return to the team after 81 players stood down from international duty last month?
The Athletic explains…
GO DEEPER
‘Since the Rubiales kiss, men are asking what’s acceptable. That’s new and important’
How did we get to this point?
During the celebrations after Spain won the Women’s World Cup on August 20, then-federation president Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips, made inappropriate physical contact with multiple players from both Spain and England, and grabbed his crotch while celebrating beside Spain’s Queen Letizia and her daughter,…
 on Sunday night. Will it lead to lasting change?){kind=link}