SPANISH football chiefs have done a U-turn by demanding kiss-row president Luis Rubiales quits as president.
Rubiales faces a “sexual assault” probe after refusing to step down amid the furore over kissing Spanish World Cup-winning star Jenni Hermoso on the lips.
GettyLuis Rubiales has come under rising pressure after he kissed Jenni Hermoso as Spain received their medals and trophy for winning the women’s World Cup[/caption]
Fifa’s world rulers Fifa have provisionally suspended him and launched proceedings.
And Spanish FA bosses reportedly decided at a crisis meeting on Monday that Rubiales should go.
Yet just three days earlier he won a standing ovation from the same organisation for insisting he would NOT quit.
But they appear to have had a change of heart as pressure on Rubiales rises.
The Spanish FA’s regional presidents held a five-hour meeting on Monday – also concluding he should resign.
It follows a whole raft of protests from across Spain and the wider football world in protest at Rubiales’ behaviour.
He was pictured appearing to pull Hermoso in at the final ceremony before embracing and kissing her after Spain beat England 1-0 in the women’s World Cup final last week.
He was also seen grabbing his crotch at the same event in Sydney.
Hermoso was furious when Rubiales claimed the kiss was “consensual”.
She hit back with a statement explaining she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” straight after the incident.
And the Spanish president’s words only served to deepen the outrage, also sparking general criticism of his leadership.
The Lionesses and LaLiga clubs joined in the complaints, with the public and politicians also voicing their displeasure.
The whole coaching team of Spain’s World Cup winners quit – except for manager Jorge Vilda.