Spanish federation demands Luis Rubiales to resign

The Spanish football federation has requested the resignation of suspended president Luis Rubiales.

Rubiales, who is head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was suspended on Saturday by FIFA after grabbing and kissing player Jenni Hermoso following their World Cup victory in Australia on 20 August.

And now the regional presidents have asked for Rubiales to "immediately present his resignation as president of the RFEF".

"After recent events and the unacceptable behaviour that has seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, the presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF," said the federation (RFEF) in a statement following a meeting between the regional presidents.

The presidents said they backed interim chief Pedro Rocha, who called the meeting, to lead the organisation into "dialogue and reconciliation with all football institutions".

The RFEF statement also urged an overhaul in the federation's management.

"We will urge the relevant authorities to carry out a profound and imminent organisational restructuring in strategic positions of the federation in order to make way for a new stage in the management of Spanish football," it read.

The regional presidents also congratulated the women's team on their World Cup triumph in Australia and New Zealand. Presently 81 players, including Hermoso, are on strike, until the federation's leadership changes.

Earlier Monday prosecutors at Spain's top criminal court said they had opened a preliminary investigation into Rubiales' kiss on grounds it could constitute a crime of "sexual assault".

"Prosecutors from the National Court have opened a preliminary investigation to look into the facts, which could constitute an offence of sexual