Spain head coach speaks out over ‘inappropriate’ FA president Luis Rubiales World Cup kiss scandal
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The head coach of Spain's World Cup-wining women's football team has spoken out against FA president Luis Rubiales, describing the moment he kissed Jennifer Hermoso as 'inappropriate'.
After the World Cup final between England and Spain on Sunday (20 August), Spanish FA President, Rubiales, grabbed midfielder Hermoso's head and kissed her on the lips as she made her way to the podium to collect her medal after the game.
Hermoso has since said she 'didn't like' the kiss and, in a statement released last week, said that 'in no moment' did she ever consent to it happening.
Following the incident at the winner's podium, Rubiales said it had been a 'spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual'.
However, Hermoso hit back at this, later accusing the Spanish Federation of having a 'manipulative, hostile and controlling culture'.
Though he initially refused to step down after last Sunday's incident (20 August), the exec has since been suspended.
Following the decision, FIFA clarified the suspension, saying that Rubiales would banned from 'all football-related activities at a national and international level'.
The organisation added: "This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days."
Despite that, the Spanish FA has since accused Hermoso of 'lying' about the kiss that took place on the World Cup stage.
They said: "The RFEF and Mr President will demonstrate each of the lies that are spread either by someone on behalf of the player or, if applicable, by the player herself.
Me dicen que este video del presidente de la federación espaÑola de fútbol, Luís Rubiales, no hay que hacerlo rular, y lo están censurando
— VIQUI ||☆|| (@viquirepublica) August 20, 2023
¿Asqueroso? Es poco pic.twitter.com/A5548h6Eyj
"The RFEF and the President, given the seriousness of the content of the press release from the Futpro union, will initiate the corresponding legal actions."
Now, Spain's head coach Jorge Vilda has criticised the suspended FA president, labelling his behaviour as 'inappropriate and unacceptable'.
This will come as a particular surprise to many, as the head coach and president had been seen as long-term allies, with Rubiales even promising Vilda a bumper contract in his extraordinary press conference on Friday.
In a statement released on Saturday night, Vilda said: "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.
"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 should be] far from an advanced and developed society."
He continued: "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."
