Australian police offer to help with Rubiales inquiry after shamed chief quits

11 September 2023 , 06:37

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Luis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish FA (Image: Piers Morgan Uncensored)

Police in Sydney are willing to work with the Spanish authorities if they receive a criminal complaint about Luis Rubiales.

The shamed executive has resigned from his role as the president of the Spanish FA after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following their country's victory in the Women's World Cup final against England last month. The game took place in Sydney, Australia.

Rubiales initially refused to step down and insisted the kiss was consensual. Hermoso claimed this was not the case, describing herself as a "victim of aggression", and has since filed a legal complaint with the Spanish authorities over the incident.

Spanish prosecutors have promised to process Hermoso's testimony "as soon as possible". Rubiales, who is provisionally suspended by FIFA, has also resigned from his role as a UEFA vice-president.

A spokesperson for New South Wales Police provided an update to The Guardian. They said: "A report has not been referred to NSW police; however, if received, officers will liaise with international authorities and assist where required."

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It took Rubiales three weeks to resign following his behaviour at the Women's World Cup final. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has apologised for the "enormous damage" caused by the scandal, with Pedro Rocha as their acting president.

Rubiales announced his resignation in a sit down interview with TalkTV host Piers Morgan on Sunday night. He claimed his decision was made after consulting with family members. He said: "Yes (I'm going to resign) because I cannot continue my work."

Rubiales added: "Some friends very close to me say to me, 'Luis, now you have to focus on your dignity and to continue your life - if not, you are probably going to damage the people you love'. In this situation now, this is the thing that I have to do."

Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the Women's World Cup final (Noe Llamas/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)

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At the same time as that interview, Rubiales also released a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter ). He highlighted FIFA's "quick" provisional suspension and the "de factor powers that will prevent me" from continuing his job.

Rubiales also claimed "this whole campaign is so disproportionate" and insisted he didn't want Spanish football "to be harmed" by the ongoing scandal. He didn't apologise to Hermoso or Spain's World Cup-winning team in his lengthy statement.

The Rubiales scandal has overshadowed Spain's incredible achievement of winning the Women's World Cup for the first time in the country's history. Hermoso is yet to respond to Rubiales' resignation and statement from Sunday night.

Speaking in August, Hermoso insisted the kiss wasn't consensual and accused Rubiales of creating a "manipulative culture". She added: "I want to reiterate how I did in that moment that what happened was not enjoyable... I wasn't respected."

Tom Blow