It’s getting tight for Rubiales
World champion coach shoots against scandal presidents
08/27/2023 09:47 am
The support for Spain’s association boss continues to dwindle. Now world champion trainer Jorge Vilda is also taking on Luis Rubiales after the sexual assault and condemning “every macho attitude”. His players and his coaching team had previously drawn drastic consequences.
In the scandal surrounding the kiss after winning the World Cup final, Spain’s national coach Jorge Vilda distanced himself from the controversial association boss Luis Rubiales. “I deeply regret that the victory of Spanish women’s football has been marred by the inappropriate behavior of our outgoing President Luis Rubiales, which he himself admitted,” said Vilda in a statement released by the Europa Press news agency, among others.
The events following the triumph of the Spanish soccer team in the World Cup final led to an “outrageous” situation that overshadowed the success they deserved, criticized Vilda. Rubiales had kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth against her will at the award ceremony, triggering a wave of outrage. Hermoso spoke of a “sexual assault”. The association boss has so far refused to resign despite sharp criticism from politics and society. World governing body FIFA has suspended Rubiales and initiated disciplinary proceedings.
“Undoubtedly unacceptable”
“This is undoubtedly unacceptable and in no way corresponds to the principles and values that I represent in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular,” wrote the 42-year-old Vilda, referring to the behavior of the association’s president. He condemns “any macho attitude” that does not belong to a progressive society.
Previously, almost all of Vilda’s coaching staff had resigned in protest at Rubiales’ behavior. The players of the Spanish national team had also announced that they would not play as long as Rubiales was in office.
Vilda is also not without controversy in Spain. Last year, 15 national players declared their temporary withdrawal from the Spanish selection in an email. They explained that the current situation under Vilda and his coaching staff is “significantly” affecting their “emotional state” and “health”. There was talk of excessive control. The association put themselves before Vilda, some of the players returned to the national team.