Regional Spanish football chiefs have demanded the resignation of federation president Luis Rubiales for grabbing and kissing World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso, while the country’s caretaker government vowed on Tuesday to ensure women play a role most important in the sports management of football.

Prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into whether Rubiales allegedly committed an act of sexual assault when he grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the mouth after Spain’s victory at the Women’s World Cup in Sydney on June 20. august.

The incident has divided the country between supporters of Rubiales, 46, who argue the kiss was innocent and consensual, and those who say the incident is a watershed moment that should mark the end of sexist behavior and sexual abuse occasional in the country.

“It was terribly disgusting,” said Guadalupe Martin, one of the demonstrators gathered Monday evening in Madrid to demand Rubiales’ resignation, some holding signs saying “It’s over”, which has become the movement’s slogan on the networks social.

“I was like, ‘What is this?’ It’s disgusting, so out of touch with reality. Such an abuse of power because he is the president,” Martin said.

Regional representatives of the football federation called on Monday evening (28) for the immediate resignation of Rubiales, but did not propose a motion of censure and defended a restructuring of the management “to allow a new phase of football management Spanish” with more gender equality.

Many federation representatives initially applauded Rubiales when he announced Friday that he would not step down.

“Following recent events and unacceptable behavior which have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the (regional) presidents demand the immediate resignation of Luis Rubiales,” they said in a statement.

Acting Sports Minister Miquel Iceta welcomed the project of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and added that gender parity with the presence of at least 40% women in the leadership of all organizations sports would be applied under a recent sports law.

“It’s over, no more discrimination against women,” Iceta said at a press conference. “We are witnessing a real social and sporting reaction.”

(Additional reporting by Emma Pinedo)

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