Luis Rubiales firmly yelled “I’m not going to resign” in his speech at an extraordinary general assembly of Spain’s football federation (RFEF) last month, banging a fist on the podium to assert his position. But, 17 days later, he announced his resignation from his position as federation president, as well as vice-president of Uefa. The right decision has been made, but Rubiales is leaving the federation in authoritative fashion after announcing his decision to quit in an interview with Piers Morgan, a clip of which has been posted online prior to their full sit-down being aired on Tuesday.
The resignation statement released by Rubiales was nothing less than expected. There was no apology, no mention of Jenni Hermoso, the player who he grabbed and kissed during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup success in Sydney last month, no mention of the other players who secured that incredible achievement, and no mention of doing anything wrong.
“I have faith in the truth, and I will do everything in my power so it prevails,” he wrote. The attempt is clear – to leave his position as an innocent man who should suffer no further repercussions for his actions.
Rubiales’ resignation is not in support or the development of the women’s game but rather it is in support of the men’s game, and specifically Spain’s ambition of hosting the 2030 World Cup. Rubiales’ resignation statement pretty much makes that clear.
“There are powers that be that will prevent my return. I do not want Spanish football to be harmed by this disproportionate campaign [against me],” he wrote.
“I make this decision after affirming that my stepping away will contribute to the stability that will allow Europe and Africa to continue together in the dream of 2030, that would bring the biggest event in the world to our country.”
In other words – don’t think negatively of Spain’s male players in light of the negative way I have treated Spain’s female players.
Rubiales may not have mentioned Hermoso or any other Spanish female footballer in the clip of his interview with Morgan, or in his resignation statement, but he did mention his daughters. No surprise, really, given this has become a default tactic by Rubiales to defend himself against the “false feminism” that he claims to be a victim of.
“My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered the effects of an exaggerated prosecution, and many falsehoods,” Rubiales wrote in his statement, and this sort of thing – using his family as a shield and a lever with which to play the victim – expose Rubiales’ character in a deeper way than his unsolicited kiss in Sydney does.
Rubiales was suspended by Fifa “from all football-related activities at national and international level” for an initial period of 90 days, but otherwise has, for now, escaped sanctions from football’s authorities.
However, he could face legal consequences after Hermoso filed a criminal complaint against him, accusing the 46-year-old of sexual assault. Last week a prosecutor also filed a complaint with Spain’s high court against Rubiales, citing concerns that there could be grounds to charge him with sexual assault as well as coercion.
A key question now is what impact Rubiales’ decision to step down will have on Spanish football, and specifically Spanish women’s football. In resigning, he alluded to only agreeing to do so having been assured that the federation will continue on the course that he set it on during his time in charge. If this is indeed the case then his exit will have the same positive effect as sticking a plaster to the bottom of a sinking ship.
Ultimately the past three weeks or so have been historic for Spanish football and the long-lasting effects of everything that has happened have yet to be fully seen. Rubiales’ resignation is a start, but it simply cannot be the end if real change for those who need it – namely women across the country who play football at all levels – is to be achieved.
