Timeline of how Spain's kiss scandal unfolded

The scandal over Spanish football federation head Luis Rubiales' forcible kiss on Women's World Cup player Jenni Hermoso's lips sparked an international outcry and plunged Spanish football into chaos.

Here is a look at how the crisis unfolded and which on Sunday led to Rubiales revealing he will resign from his post:

Aug. 20, 2023: Win sealed with a controversial kiss

Spain win the Women's World Cup for the first time by beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney.

During the medal ceremony Rubiales, 46, cups Hermoso's head and forcibly kisses her on the lips in images beamed live around the world.

Hermoso posts a live video on Instagram showing the celebrations in the changing room in which she responds to teasing from team-mates about the kiss saying: "I didn't like it, eh!" while laughing.

A statement released by Rubiales' RFEF football federation later quotes her as saying the kiss was "a natural gesture of affection and gratitude".

Aug. 21, 2023: Apology

After initially downplaying the incident, Rubiales apologises in a video posted on social media.

"It was done without any ill intention in a moment of the highest exuberance. Here we saw it as natural and normal but outside it has caused a commotion," he says.

Aug. 22, 2023: PM weighs in

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calls the kiss an "unacceptable gesture" and says Rubiales' apology was "insufficient".

"Rubiales' apology was not enough and he must do more than that," he says echoing comments by several of his ministers.

The Spanish Footballers' Association, several coaches, clubs and star women players from Spain and beyond also criticise Rubiales.

Aug. 25, 2023: Rubiales refuses to resign

Rubiales defies expectations and refuses to step down at an emergency RFEF meeting.

"I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign," he shouts at the gathering which is broadcast live in Spanish TV.

"A consensual 'peck' is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end," he says, while also railing against "false feminism" in a speech which wins widespread applause.

In a statement later that day, Hermoso says the unwanted kiss had left her feeling "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault", describing it as "an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part".

She and 80 other Spain players, including the entire World Cup squad, say they will not play for the national team until there are changes in the RFEF's leadership.

Aug. 26, 2023: FIFA takes action

World football governing body FIFA suspends Rubiales from all football-related activities for 90 days while it decides on disciplinary measures over his behaviour.

Its disciplinary committee also orders Rubiales and RFEF officials and employees alike to refrain from contacting Hermoso or those around her.

Aug. 28, 2023: Spanish prosecutors open probe

Prosecutors at Spain's top criminal court open a preliminary investigation into Rubiales' kiss on grounds it could constitute a "sexual assault".

The RFEF's regional leaders urge Rubiales to resign and call for a "profound" restructuring of the organisation "to make way for a new era in the management of Spanish football".

Sept. 5, 2023: Vilda axed

Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda, who was close to Rubiales, is dismissed by the RFEF in the wake of the scandal.

Vilda was a controversial figure and some players had protested against him and the federation ahead of the World Cup, with 15 of them going on strike. However many relented and three were called up for the tournament.

Sept. 8, 2023: Lawsuit filed

Spanish public prosecutors file a lawsuit against Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion, after Hermoso made an official legal complaint over the kiss two days earlier.

Sept. 10, 2023: Rubiales finally resigns

Luis Rubiales informs the federation he is resigning from his post, and also stepping down as a UEFA vice-president.

He said holding on "is not going to contribute anything positive" and that he was also stepping down to protect those close to him.

However Rubiales insists he will continue to fight his corner. "I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails," he says in an open letter.