MADRID (AP) – The coach of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s soccer team was fired Tuesday, less than three weeks after a victory celebration that led to the suspension of the president of the country’s football federation for kissing a player.
The Spanish soccer federation gave no immediate explanation for the dismissal and largely praised Jorge Vilda, saying she was “key to the great growth of women’s soccer” and thanking her for leading the national team. of women the first World Cup title and in No. 2 in the FIFA rankings.
Including Vilda who first applauded the president of the federation, Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without permission during an on-field victory celebration last month in Sydney.
One of Vilda’s assistant coaches, Montse Tomé, was appointed to replace him. Tomé is the first woman to hold the job.
Vilda said that she was surprised by the federation’s decision and described her dismissal as “unfair”. Rubiales announced in the emergency general assembly of the federation after the World Cup that Vilda will renew his contract.
“The explanation they gave me was that there were some structural changes,” Vilda told Spanish radio network SER. “After everything I achieved, after I gave my 100%, my conscience is clear. I don’t understand the firing, I don’t think I deserve it.”
Vilda said that he expects Rubiales to resign during the general assembly. He said that he did not applaud in support of Rubiales or his actions.
“I will never applaud anything that goes against the fight for equality,” Vilda said. “I don’t really know what will happen in that assembly. The president praised my work and announced my change, I appreciate that. When 150 people are clapping, it’s hard not to have one. “
Eventually Vilda said that Rubiales’ behavior was not right. Luis de la Fuente, coach of the men’s national team, also first applauded Rubiales for taunting what Rubiales called “false feminists.” From the Fountain later apologized and said his applause was an “unforgivable” human error.
Rubiales, who also held his crotch in an obscene victory gesture after the World Cup final, temporarily suspended by FIFA and faces a Spanish government case against him for the conduct that has prompted a storm of criticism and led to widespread calls for his resignation. He vows to prove his innocence and return to full control of the federation.
Vilda has been in charge of the women’s team since 2015. Less than a year later, some players rebelled against her in a crisis that put her job at risk.
Fifteen players left the national team, citing their mental health, and demanding a more professional environment. Only three returned from the squad that won the World Cup.
The players who left signed a letter complaining about Vilda and the conditions for the national team.
Vilda was strongly supported by Rubiales when the players rebelled.
The 41-year-old Tomé is a former player who made a few appearances for the national team. He joined Vilda’s staff in 2018 after coaching several youth teams in Spain.
There was no immediate reaction from the squad. Many players have called for significant changes in the team’s structure. It is unclear whether the players who rebelled under Vilda intend to return.
In a statement announcing the firing, the soccer federation expressed gratitude to Vilda “for the services rendered, for his professionalism and his dedication during all these years.”
“Vilda has left the federation with a unique sporting legacy thanks to the implementation of a recognized game model and an approach that has been a growth engine for all categories of women in the national team, ” said the statement.
During the team’s title celebration in Madrid after the World Cup, Vilda received a warm welcome from the fans. He was jeered by some during a viewing party during the last game.
The World Cup title is Spain’s first since the men’s team won the lone trophy at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. This year marks only the women’s team’s third World Cup appearance.
The Spanish squad, known as La Roja, reached the knockout round four years ago but lost to the champion US team. It has not advanced to a major semifinal since the 1997 European Championship.
Pedro Rocha, who currently runs the Spanish soccer federation, released a letter on Tuesday apologizing for Rubiales’ behavior.
Rocha said the federation has the responsibility to ask for “the most sincere apology to the world of soccer in general,” especially to the fans and players of the women’s national team, “for the absolute acceptable behavior of its highest representative.”
In no way does his behavior represent “the values ​​of Spanish society in general, its institutions, its representatives, its athletes and the leaders of Spanish sports,” Rocha wrote.
Rocha on Tuesday met with Victor Francos, the head of the Spanish government’s sports body, to explain the structural changes expected by the federation.
In other developments, the captains of The Spanish men’s national team on Monday condemned Rubiales’ “unacceptable behavior”. to show support for the women’s group.
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