News & Current Affairs

Rubiales: RFEF To Decide Jorge Vilda's Fate Today

By Azeezat Okunlola | Aug 30, 2023
Ten days after his team won the Women's World Cup, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is considering firing Jorge Vilda.
 
Vilda was spotted applauding Rubiales at the Spanish federation's (RFEF) extraordinary general assembly on Friday, when Rubiales repeatedly insisted he would not resign.
 
Vilda was also addressed by Rubiales on Friday, referring to him as the best women's football coach and made him an offer for a new four-year contract of €500,000 (£429,000) per year despite the current controversy.
 
By Saturday, however, Vilda had revised his position. He had issued a statement criticizing Rubiales but had refrained from demanding that he be fired or resign.
 
Hermoso claimed that the kiss wasn't consensual, but Rubiales has refused to resign. FIFA, the organization that oversees football worldwide, has already temporarily suspended Rubiales "from all football-related activities at national and international level."
 
By today, acting RFEF president Pedro Rocha is anticipated to decide on Vilda's future.
 
After Spain's team announced last Friday that they would not play for their country again until the federation's leadership had been ousted, Vilda is currently without players or coaches for upcoming matches.
 
Eighty-one Spain players, including all 23 World Cup winners, have also said they would not play for the team again while Rubiales remained in position.
 
Vilda has a history of alienating players and has caused strife as the women's team's head coach.
 
Recently, Rubiales' mother supported his activities by starting a hunger strike on Monday.
 
In southern Spain's Motril, she has barricaded herself inside a church and vowed to remain there until her son receives justice.
 
Ms Bejar urged Jenni Hermoso to "tell the truth" on the contentious 'kissgate' episode.
 
However, it doesn't seem like many people agree with her, as demonstrations are being held against what some refer to as "Spain's #metoo moment."
 
Despite the fact that he also applauded Rubiales' remarks, Luis de la Fuente, the men's head coach of Spain, is seen as being in a more secure position.
 
The day after the president was suspended, De la Fuentes also released a statement criticizing the move.
 
The men's team has Euro qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus next month, while the women's world champions face Sweden and Switzerland in Nations League play.
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