Controversial Kiss: Spain Coach Jorge Vilda Slams FA President Luis Rubiales for Inappropriate Behavior
Jorge Vilda, Spain coach, strongly condemns FA president Luis Rubiales' inappropriate behavior, resulting in a 90-day provisional suspension by FIFA Rubiales is forbidden from contacting Jenni Hermoso, and all 11 members of Vilda's coaching team have resigned Football world reacts with embarrassment to Rubiales' speech
Spain Women's coach Jorge Vilda has criticized Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales for his actions during the Women's World Cup final last week. Rubiales sparked controversy by kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips as she received her medal following Spain's 1-0 victory over England in Sydney last weekend.
FIFA provisionally suspended him on Saturday, but he stated that he would not step down from his position. In a statement to Agencia EFE, Spain coach Vilda expressed his disappointment that Rubiales' improper conduct had marred the World Cup victory.
Vilda also insisted that his own values and principles were far removed from the unacceptable conduct of Rubiales and vowed to continue promoting inclusion and equity.
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Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda
FIFA has instructed Rubiales and the Spanish FA to refrain from contacting the World Cup champion or any individuals close to her. Additionally, all 11 members of Vilda's coaching staff have resigned. This includes assistant managers Montse Tome, Javier Lerga, and Eugenio Gonzalo Martin who expressed their strong disapproval of Rubiales in a joint statement. Despite this, Vilda will continue in his position as head coach.
Hermoso has leveled allegations against the federation, claiming a culture that is manipulative, hostile, and controlling.
While FIFA is currently investigating Rubiales, UEFA, where he holds the position of vice-president with an annual salary of €250,000, has remained silent.
The Spanish football federation has issued a response to FIFA's suspension of Rubiales. They released a statement stating that they have received a notification from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee regarding the provisional suspension of their President, Luis Rubiales Bejar, while his disciplinary case is being dealt with. In accordance with the RFEF Statutes, the Vice President attached to the Presidency, Pedro Rocha Junco, will act as the interim President during this time.
Hermoso, who stated on Friday that she did not give her consent to the kiss, has witnessed her country's football federation (RFEF) declare its intention to pursue legal measures against the forward, regarding his remarks about Rubiales.
Rubiales was anticipated to resign on Friday following the kiss controversy. However, he instead asserted that he was being unjustly targeted by "fake feminists" during a remarkable address in front of the Spanish football federation's general assembly. This evoked a strong reaction from Hermoso and her colleagues, who pledged to refuse playing for Spain in the future, just days after achieving their inaugural World Cup victory.
The 33-year-old forward denied giving consent to the kiss in a statement on Friday night, and Rubiales, utilizing his federation, accused Hermoso of falsely claiming that he forcibly kissed her in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The statement from the Spanish football federation showcased a collection of pictures depicting Hermoso supposedly lifting Rubiales off the ground. According to the statement, it was the player's action that essentially caused the president's feet to be elevated.
The tests have provided definitive evidence that Mr. President did not lie.
Both the RFEF and Mr. President will present evidence exposing any falsehoods propagated either by individuals claiming to represent the player, or, if relevant, by the player themselves.
Hermoso, represented by Futpro, the players' union, stated the following: "I want to clarify that my intention was not to criticize the president."
England Women expressed their support for Hermoso and the victorious Spanish team in a statement delivered by captain Leah Williamson following their 1-0 defeat in the World Cup final.
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"Unacceptable actions allowed to happen by a sexist and patriarchal organisation. Abuse is abuse and we have all seen the truth," it read.
The attitude of individuals claiming invincibility should be condemned, and there should be no need for persuasion in order to prompt action against any type of harassment.
"We stand united with you, @jennihermoso, and all members of the Spanish team."
'Embarrassing', 'My ears are bleeding': Football reacts to Rubiales' speech
Over 100 individuals, primarily women, congregated on Friday evening in front of the headquarters of the Spanish Soccer Federation in Madrid, demanding the resignation of Rubiales. A considerable number of attendees brandished red cards during the protest.England defender Jess Carter, who played the entire 90 minutes of the final match loss on Sunday, expressed to Sky News that Rubiales' actions had "stained" the moment of Spain's triumph.
"It is truly disheartening that a moment as remarkable as this has been marred for Hermoso and for Spain due to that incident," she expressed.
"I didn't witness it firsthand; it was only after returning and viewing the photographs that I thought to myself, 'this can't possibly be true'. It is utterly unacceptable, and I struggle to comprehend how he could respond with anything other than genuine apologies. Such behavior should not occur in any occupation, especially on a global platform like this."
"She finds herself facing an extremely challenging situation - how can one defy someone possessing such immense power? However, she also takes a bold stance, declaring that this behavior is completely unacceptable."
Alexia Putellas, the esteemed midfielder from Barcelona and Spain, expressed her disapproval on the social media platform X (previously Twitter): "This is not acceptable. It ends now. Standing alongside you, my teammate @Jennihermoso." Other teammates promptly joined in, along with players from other countries.
"I am repulsed by Luis Rubiales' public behavior," expressed US international Alex Morgan on X. She further emphasized that achieving victory in a World Cup "ought to be a highlight in the lives of these players, but instead it is marred by acts of assault, misogyny, and the Spanish federation's shortcomings."
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Rubiales' comments were not well-received by a number of former Spain internationals, with David De Gea taking to X to write: "My ears are bleeding."
In Liga F, the premier women's league in Spain, a remarkable announcement was made on X. This statement emphasized the need for a permanent transformation, specifically addressing Rubiales' position.
Borja Iglesias, the striker from Real Betis, who played for the national team for the first time last year and was part of Luis de la Fuente's recent squad, declared that he will refrain from representing his country until there are changes, ensuring that such actions are properly penalized.
The 30-year-old expressed his dissatisfaction with the events that unfolded on X, stating that he does not feel personally or professionally represented. He emphasized that wearing the Spanish national team shirt has been one of the highlights of his career. Nonetheless, he has decided not to rejoin the national team until there are concrete measures taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
