MADRID, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Spanish regional soccer chiefs demanded federation boss Luis Rubiales resign for grabbing and kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, as the country's caretaker government promised on Tuesday to ensure women play a bigger role in running sports.
Many of the federation representatives had initially applauded Rubiales when he announced on Friday he would not quit.
"Following recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged Spanish football's image, the (regional) presidents demand that Luis Rubiales immediately resign," they said in a statement.
Gender issues were a prominent political issue in Spain before Rubiales' kiss.
Hermoso, her teammates and the Spanish government say the kiss was unwanted and demeaning.
Persons:
Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Guadalupe Martin, Rubiales, Martin, Miquel Iceta, Isabel Infantes, Iceta, Amparo Macias, Yolanda Diaz, Inti Landauro, Mariano Valladolid, Belén Carreño, David Latona, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Ed Osmond, Conor Humphries
Organizations:
Prosecutors, federation's, Sports, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Soccer Football, Spanish Soccer Federation, Ciudad Del Futbol, Ciudad Del Futbol REUTERS, Socialist, FIFA, Labour, women's, Thomson
Locations:
MADRID, Spanish, Sydney, Madrid, Ciudad Del Futbol Las, Rozas, Spain, Motril