Coach Vilda before the end
Rubiales scandal file keeps growing
8/31/2023, 4:58 p.m
The lies are joined by reports of sex parties and embezzlement of funds. Luis Rubiales is obviously not a saint. Only the mother of the Spanish Football Association boss sees things differently. While he’s clinging to his post, the air is getting thinner for world champion coach Jorge Vilda as well.
The striking mom had to go to the hospital after her tearful fight for her son, the uncle throws dirt – and almost two weeks after the scandal surrounding the forced kiss at the World Cup award ceremony, the UEFA boss finally intervened: the farce about the controversial Luis Rubiales develops into a seemingly never-ending story.
According to AFP information, the controversial Spanish world champion coach Jorge Vilda is now facing the end. The coach had recently criticized the behavior of the head of the association, but applauded Rubiales’ incendiary speech after his kiss on the mouth of world champion Jennifer Hermoso after the 1-0 win in the World Cup final against England.
The majority of Vilda’s coaching staff subsequently resigned, the world champions and many other players are on strike, and there is currently no national team. According to interim president Pedro Rocha, “relevant news will be explained” as soon as the association’s leadership has met with Vilda. That should happen in the coming week. Vilda and Rubiales are considered close allies. Not just since 15 players went on strike against Vilda in September 2022 to protest the coach’s methods, the families have known each other for a long time.
Rubiales sticks to the post
However, Rubiales is still sticking to his post, and more and more absurd details are coming to light. “Obviously what he did is inappropriate. We all know that. I hope he knows it was inappropriate,” UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin told French sports daily L’Equipe after a days silence had. He just finds it “sad” that the 46-year-old’s abusive behavior “overshadowed the victory of the Spanish national team”.
Rubiales, who still shows no remorse after his bizarre defense speech last week, apparently does not have to fear consequences from the European Football Union. Referring to his role as UEFA vice-president and member of the Executive Committee, Čeferin said: “He’s suspended from all his functions, everywhere. There’s no reason to do it twice.”
The world association has suspended Rubiales for 90 days and initiated proceedings after he suddenly kissed international player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the award ceremony after the World Cup final against England (1-0) on August 20. The public prosecutor’s office and the sports court TAD are also dealing with the case.
Uncle is “not surprised”
And while Rubiales continues to see himself as a victim and sent FIFA a new video to exonerate him, his uncle started a veritable marathon of interviews. In numerous conversations with the Spanish media, Juan Rubiales, once a close confidante and employee of the head of the Spanish association, again raises serious allegations.
An excerpt? He was “not surprised” by the incident at the World Cup final. After all, his nephew had “always been a man with a clear macho touch”, a “cowardly man”, obsessed with luxury and women. Juan Rubiales emphasized that he would have to be re-educated in his dealings with women. He uses the bandage as a tool for his personal well-being, to satisfy his ego and to fight the spirits he sees everywhere.
In addition, the uncle told stories about “parties” with “teenage girls”, about dodgy machinations or the alleged use of association funds for private matters. He had already denounced this last year, and the association had rejected the allegations. Even before this summer Rubiales was by no means reputed to be a saint.
His mother is likely to see things very differently, since she went on a hunger strike in a church because of what she saw as an “inhuman and bloody hunt” – and asked Hermoso to “tell the truth”. On Wednesday, however, she had to be taken to the hospital for a short time due to “a seizure” and health problems. Spanish media reported that she was allowed to leave the emergency room in the evening after several hours of treatment – accompanied by her son.