Shocking Scandal: Sarina Wiegman Reveals Heartache Over Kiss Incident with Jenni Hermoso, Sheds Light on the Challenges Women's Game Faces
Sarina Wiegman, winner of the UEFA Women's Coach of the Year award, expressed her disappointment over the Luis Rubiales incident The Spanish FA president's kiss with Jenni Hermoso on the World Cup final winners podium has highlighted the need for progress in women's football Spain now contemplates the future of coach Vilda
Sarina Wiegman, winner of the UEFA Women's Coach of the Year award, expressed her disapproval of the Luis Rubiales controversy in her acceptance speech. She stated that the incidents surrounding his kiss with Jenni Hermoso during and after the World Cup final were "deeply painful". FIFA has provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days while an investigation into his conduct is conducted.
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Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss, and along with her 22 squad mates, has said she will not play for the national team until Rubiales resigns.
After a year filled with victories, including winning the Women's European Championships, the Finallissima, and reaching the World Cup final with the Lionesses, Wiegman emerged victorious over Spain's under-fire head coach Jorge Vilda, securing UEFA's prestigious award. Graciously, she dedicated her well-deserved prize to the players of Spain.
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Luis Rubiales faced widespread criticism for kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain's Women's World Cup win over England on Sunday
"We are all aware of the challenges faced by the Spanish team, and it deeply pains me both as a coach and as someone who is a mother of two daughters, a wife, and simply a human being," Wiegman expressed during the awards ceremony in Monaco.
"While it is true that the sport has made significant progress, there is still a considerable journey ahead for women's football and for society as a whole."
Spain considering Vilda future
I want to dedicate this award to the Spanish team. They truly deserve to be celebrated and their voices should be heard. Once again, let's give them a round of applause and I hope all of you will join me in doing so.The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is contemplating the termination of Spain manager Jorge Vilda's position, a mere nine days after his team emerged victorious in the Women's World Cup.
Vilda expressed his support for Rubiales' speech, which stirred a great deal of controversy, during the Spanish FA extraordinary assembly held on Friday.
During his speech, Rubiales directly praised Vilda as the top coach in women's football and proposed a new four-year contract worth €500,000 per year. Despite Vilda's criticism of Rubiales in a statement on Saturday, he refrained from explicitly demanding his resignation or termination.
The Spain squad announced on Friday their refusal to represent their country further unless there was a change in leadership at the federation.
Following this, all eleven members of Vilda's support staff resigned on Saturday, leaving the head coach without any players or coaching personnel.
Next month, the world champions will participate in Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland. Despite his approval of Rubiales' speech, Luis de la Fuente's position as the men's head coach is believed to be secure. Moreover, on Saturday, he issued a statement expressing criticism towards the suspended president.
De la Fuente is set to announce his squad on Friday for the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus next month.
Vilda's tenure as the women's team head coach has been marked by controversy. In the previous year, 15 players expressed their refusal to play under his leadership due to concerns over their well-being and mental state. Consequently, twelve of them were absent from the World Cup.
