Once the most powerful man in Spanish soccer, Rubiales insisted the kiss was consensual and done in a "moment of jubilation."
"The former president of the Spanish soccer federation has done what he had to do," Spain's Secretary of State for Sport Víctor Francos told Spain's Cadena SER radio.
Rubiales said that he had told interim Spanish federation president Pedro Rocha — who replaced him when Rubiales was suspended on Aug. 26 — of his resignation late Sunday night.
The uproar against Rubiales coincides with a strike by Spain's women's league as its players call for higher wages.
Those included the coaches of Spain's women's and men's teams.
Persons:
Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Reuters Luis Rubiales, Spain's, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Sport Víctor Francos, Spain's Cadena, Pedro Rocha —, Piers Morgan, Britain's, Luis, Morgan, Letizia, Princess Sofía, Spain —, –, — Rubiales, Alexia Putellas
Organizations:
Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, Reuters, Spain, England, FIFA, Twitter, Rubiales, State, Sport Víctor, Spain's Cadena SER, UEFA, Women's Nations, Pachuca, Barcelona, League, Ballon, Saudi
Locations:
Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain, Sweden, Europe, Ballon d'Or, Africa, Madrid