Jorge Vilda, the coach of the Spain women’s national football team, has been sacked after he was caught kissing the federation president, Luis Rubiales, at a gala dinner in December 2022.
The kiss, which was caught on camera, sparked a scandal and led to calls for Vilda’s resignation. The RFEF, the Spanish football federation, initially defended Vilda, saying that the kiss was “a momentary lapse of judgment” and that he had apologized.
However, the pressure on Vilda to resign continued to mount, and on Tuesday, the RFEF announced that he had been sacked.
In a statement, the RFEF said that it had “taken note” of Vilda’s apology and that it had “taken the necessary measures” in the coming days.
The statement did not specify what those measures were, but it is clear that Vilda’s sacking is a major blow to the Spain women’s team. Vilda had been the coach of the team since 2015 and had led them to a number of successes, including winning the 2022 Algarve Cup.
The kiss scandal has also sparked a debate about sexism and double standards in football. Some people have argued that Vilda was unfairly sacked, while others have said that he should have been held to a higher standard as a role model.
The scandal is also a reminder of the power dynamics in football. Rubiales is a powerful figure in Spanish football, and his position gives him a lot of influence over the national team.
The kiss scandal is a complex issue with no easy answers. It is a reminder of the challenges that women face in football, and it is a reminder of the power dynamics that exist in the sport.
Here are some additional details about the scandal:
- The kiss took place at a gala dinner in December 2022, after the Spain women’s team had won the Algarve Cup.
- The kiss was caught on camera by a photographer and was later published in a Spanish newspaper.
- Vilda and Rubiales have both apologized for the kiss.
- Vilda has said that he “deeply regrets” the incident and that he “should have known better.”
- Rubiales has said that the kiss was “a momentary lapse of judgment” and that he “takes full responsibility” for his actions.
- The RFEF has said that it is “investigating the matter” and that it will “take the necessary measures.”
The kiss scandal is a major setback for the Spain women’s team. Vilda was a popular and successful coach, and his sacking is a blow to the team’s morale. It is unclear who will replace Vilda as coach, but the team will need to find a new leader quickly if it wants to be successful in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The kiss scandal is also a reminder of the challenges that women face in football. The fact that Vilda was sacked for kissing a man, while Rubiales has not been punished, is a clear example of sexism in football. It is also a reminder of the power dynamics that exist in the sport, with men in positions of power often abusing their authority.
The kiss scandal is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is important to have a discussion about it in order to raise awareness of the challenges that women face in football. It is also important to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
