Jorge Vilda SLAMS Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales – with Spain boss branding his former ally’s kiss on Jenni Hermoso ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’
- Vilda says he regrets how Luis Rubiales’ actions have tainted Spanish football
- He said his boss’ ‘unacceptable’ actions ‘do not reflect the values I defend’
- Rubiales and Vilda have so far backed each other through heated times
Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda has hit out at Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales, calling his World Cup final behaviour ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’.
FIFA have provisionally suspended Rubiales from all football-related activity after his kiss on Jenni Hermoso and grabbing his crotch after Spain’s 1-0 win over the Lionesses in the World Cup final.
Vilda and Rubiales were formerly allies, with the FA president backing Vilda through a mutiny of his own.
He was among those applauding his embattled superior when he made a defiant speech insisting he would not resign, but in the wake of Rubiales’ FIFA suspension, Vilda has spoken out.
‘I regret deeply 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 wrote in a statement released on Saturday.
Spain women’s head coach Jorge Vilda has criticised the conduct of the Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales as ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’
Rubiales and Vilda have long been allies, having supported each other through controversies
‘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 doubt any macho attitude, [which is] 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.
‘I reiterate my unwavering commitment to promoting a sport that is a model of equality and respect in our society.’
Vilda has long been a subject of controversy himself.
In September 2022, 15 Spain players wrote a letter to the Spanish FA refusing to play unless Vilda resigned, arguing that his reign was affecting their ’emotional state’ and amid talk of unprofessionalism.
The Spanish FA, headed by Rubiales, chose to back Vilda, writing: ‘The RFEF is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers.’
Rubiales and Vilda have stood by each other since then, but the latter’s latest statement signals a departure from that trend.
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