Spain women's boss breaks silence on crisis as players and coaches resign

27 August 2023 , 10:29

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Royal Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales congratulates Jorge Vilda after the semi-final win

Jorge Vilda has labelled Luis Rubiales' behaviour at the FIFA Women's World Cup final as "inappropriate."

However, the Spain boss has stopped short of resigning from his position, unlike his coaching staff. Spanish FA president Rubiales was suspended for an initial period of 90 days on Saturday by FIFA after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips

Assistant managers Montse Tome, Javier Lerga and Eugenio Gonzalo Martin, physio Blanca Romero Moraleda and goalkeeping coach Carlos Sanchez, have all left the national set-up. The group released a joint statement where they condemned Rubiales’ conduct towards forward Hermoso.

Their coach Vilda, however, remains in position but did admit the behaviour of Rubiales had "harmed" their World Cup triumph. Spain lifted the trophy after defeating England 1-0 in Sydney last Sunday thanks to Olga Carmona's first half goal.

"I am deeply sorry that the victory of Spanish women's football has been harmed by the inappropriate behaviour that our until now top leader, Luis Rubiales, has carried out and that he himself has recognised," Vilda said in a statement to Spanish outlet Agencia EFE.

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"There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular.

"I condemn without palliatives any macho attitude, far from an advanced and developed society. A clearly undesirable climate has been generated, far from what should have been a great celebration of Spanish sport and women's sport."

Jenni Hermoso was kissed on her lips by Spain FA president Luis Rubiales (RTVE)

Vilda's men's team counterpart Luis de la Fuente has also spoken out on the crisis. The Spain coach clapped Rubiales when he gave a speech saying he would not resign on Friday.

However, he has since issued a statement criticising the President. "The behaviour of Luis Rubiales did not respect the minimum protocol that must be followed in these celebratory acts," De la Fuente said.

"They are not edifying or appropriate for a person who was representing all of Spanish football. He himself has publicly acknowledged the inappropriateness of his behaviour."

Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday (RFEF/AFP via Getty Images)

Rubiales has vowed to fight on to his position despite the FIFA suspension. The federation (RFEF) has also said it will take legal action over Hermoso's "lies".

FIFA have also confirmed that Rubiales is also banned from contacting Hermoso while the investigation is ongoing. The disciplinary judge, Jorge Palacio, said “in order to preserve, among other factors, the fundamental rights” of the individual, Rubiales was ordered "to refrain, through himself or third parties, from contacting or attempting to contact" Hermoso and those close to her.

Hermoso stated earlier this week that the kiss was not consensual. Vice-president, Pedro Rocha Junco, has become the federation’s interim president due to the suspension.

Jack Lacey-Hatton