Sacked Spain Women’s boss Jorge Vilda claims his dismissal was ‘unfair’ as the World Cup winner insists he ‘would never’ applaud anything sexist, despite clapping Luis Rubiales’ sensational speech in August
- Jorge Vidal won 75 of his 108 games in charge of the Spanish Women’s team
- His sacking on Tuesday came just 11 days after he won the Women’s World Cup
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Jorge Vilda insisted that he would never applaud anything sexist, or contrary to the fight for equality, despite being seen clapping suspended Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales, after claiming he was the victim of a political and media lynching’.
Vilda was sacked on Tuesday despite winning the Women’s World Cup despite having been offered a new contract 11 days ago by Rubiales on the stage where he gave his now famous speech insisting he would not resign.
Vilda and the Spanish FA have been embroiled in an ongoing scandal following Rubiales actions on presenting the Spanish Women’s team with their World Cup winners’ medals.
The suspended FA president was seen kissing Jenni Hermoso, with ‘kiss-gate’ now dividing Spanish football, with numerous figures speaking out against Rubiales and the treatment of women in the association.
But despite seemingly applauding in support of his former boss, the 42-year-old has now claimed that his dismissal was ‘unfair’.
Jorge Vilda (left) was sacked on Tuesday in the wake of the ‘kiss-gate’ scandal embroiling Spanish football
Vilda was one of a number of figures seen applauding Luis Rubiales’ speech insisting he would not resign, pictured next to Men’s team manager Luis De La Fuente (right)
‘In sporting terms, I am going to accept all the criticisms, but on a personal level I think it has been unfair,’ he told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
‘It has been a special year. Nothing has ever been said directly but indirectly things have been said that do not suit me. Things have been said that are not true.
‘I am as well as can be after being fired after being world champion 10 days ago. I have been fired, I think, unjustly.
‘I have a clear conscience. I have given 100% and I don’t understand it, I didn’t see my termination as deserved.’
Vilda had been offered a new deal by Rubiales, who claimed he had already set things rolling on a four-year contract earning the manager ‘half a million euros’, although he would be dismissed just 11 days later.
He cited this as one of the reasons that he had clapped Rubiales’ speech, but was quick to add that he was not a supporter of sexism.
‘The first thing I want to make clear is that I will never applaud anything sexist,’ Vilda told Spanish radio in an interview with Manu Carreno.
‘I didn’t know very well why I was going to that Assembly. I thought there was going to be a resignation. I will never applaud anything that goes against feminism and against the fight for equality and equity
Jenni Hermoso (right) was kissed by Rubiales on receiving her World Cup winners’ medal
Vilda was convinced that his sacking at the hands of the Spanish FA was ‘unfair’
‘The president is valuing your work and announcing your renewal, I applauded that. I also applaud Rubiales’ management of the women’s football, with a budget that has multiplied by four.
‘When 150 people around you applaud it is very difficult to be the only one who doesn’t.’
Vilda was sacked on Tuesday, less than two weeks after winning the World Cup, the last of his 75 wins from a possible 108 at the helm.
The Spanish FA recognised Vilda’s efforts in helping the Women’s team secure a maiden world title – with Spain becoming just the second ever country to win both Men’s and Women’s World Cups.
The RFEF announced his dismissal inline with one of the first ‘renewal measures’ from interim president Pedro Rocha, with Spain’s FA seemingly keen to freshen things up amid the ongoing scandal.
They did however recognise his work in helping grow the profile of Women’s football in Spain, saying: ‘We value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, being a key piece in the notable growth of women’s football in Spain. During his extensive period, Vilda has been a promoter of the values of respect and sportsmanship in football.’
Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by FIFA and facing increasing pressure to resign after he kissed Hermoso following the Women’s World Cup final.
Prior to the ‘kiss-gate’ scandal, Vilda had already been a controversial figure at the helm of the Spanish Women’s team.
The ‘kiss-gate’ scandal is not the first time that the 42-year-old has come under fire at the helm
Aitana Bonmati was one of three of the famous ‘Las 15’ – who ruled themselves out of contention for Spain until standards improved under Vilda – to return for the World Cup
Although 81 players have now made themselves unavailable for selection in support for Hermoso, Vilda had previously survived a player-led revolt while in charge of Spain.
In September 2022 after England knocked Spain out of the European Championship, 15 players – known as ‘Las 15’ – submitted emails complaining of their emotional and physical health under Vilda, claiming they no longer wished to play under him.
They maintained that they had not asked for him to be dismissed but for improved training and preparation methods, however the Spanish World Cup campaign was viewed against a tense backdrop.
Las 15 had ruled them out of contention until standards improved, with only Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey coming back to the side for the World Cup.
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