The Spanish Football Federation has shown the door to women’s coach Jorge Vilda only two weeks after winning the World Cup amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales crisis. Vilda's coaching and playing staff have already quit in opposition to Rubiales.
After originally backing Luis Rubiales, the federation president who was barred by FIFA from engaging in any football-related activity after kissing athlete Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony, the 42-year-old has come under increasing criticism. Rubiales asserts that the kiss was mutually consenting, although Hermoso disputes this.
Vilda hailed Rubiales' remarks after the World Cup victory when he pledged to remain in his position as president of the RFEF and promised the coach a new four-year contract worth €500,000 per year. Vilda issued a statement the day after, describing Rubiales' conduct as "inappropriate and unacceptable."
The day after he made the statement, almost every member of his coaching team quit. Eleven coaches and members of the technical staff issued a united statement denouncing Rubiales' actions. “The undersigned, in light of the unacceptable attitude and statements made by the head of the federation, have decided to resign from their positions,” the statement read.
Vilda has a lengthy history of being opposing and unpopular with the Spanish team. When 15 players withdrew from consideration for selection 12 months ago, his team appeared to be on the verge of collapse. They claimed that the national team environment was negatively affecting their mental and emotional health.
