Spanish Women's World Cup-winning boss Jorge Vilda was fired today by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as the controversy surrounding Luis Rubiale's behavior continues. FIFA suspended Rubiales, who is the Spanish FA president for 90 days pending investigations into his unsolicited kiss on forward Jenni Hermoso. The committee of regional presidents in charge of the RFEF, led by Pedro Rocha, informed Vilda of the decision to fire him. The sacked boss is expected to meet with Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) president Victor Francos later today. Vilda was informed of the decision to fire him shortly after RFEF issued a statement apologizing for "totally unacceptable behavior" by Rubiales further saying that it is cooperating with disciplinary action against him. 

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The statement issued read: "The RFEF wants to convey to the whole of society and to the whole of world football its deepest regret for what has happened, which has tarnished our national team, our football, and our society. The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society, and to the values of football and sport as a whole has been enormous." The REEF went ahead to thank Vilda in their statement saying: "The coach has been key to the notable growth in women's football and left Spain as World Champion and second in FIFA ranking."The REEF posted a graphic on their social media pages with the words "Gracias Jorge." which can be translated to mean “Thank you, Jorge.” Following Rubiales' conduct, the REEF further promised a profound and immediate restructuring of the organization. 

The unsolicited kiss made by Rubiales on Hermoso led to all 23 members of Spain's victorious World Cup squad to co-sign a statement last month -- joined by 58 other current and former players -- saying they would not return to play for the national team again “if the current management continues.” The president of the Catalan Federation Joan Soteras who is also a member of the REEF committee had foreshadowed the sacking of Jorge Vilda last week. "There have to be structural changes in women's football," he said. "One of those could be [removing] Vilda. He was at the center of the mess with the national team [last September]. If it was up to me, I would [dismiss him]. A change would be the most convenient thing for the good of women's football." Vilda had held his role as the manager since 2015 and had never won a knockout game this year in a major tournament before he oversaw the World Cup run that saw Spain end up as eventual champions after beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney. The victory has largely been overshadowed by Rubiales' actions. 

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Rubiales had earlier claimed that the kiss made to Hermoso was consensual but Hermoso refuted saying that she was "the victim of aggression."Vilda has always enjoyed Rubiales' backing even when 15 players complained about the management structure last September. In fact, when Rubiales was unbowed about calls for him to step down, the now-suspended president offered Vilda a new four-year contract worth €500,000 a year.  Vilda only released a statement criticizing Rubiales' "improper behavior" after the resignation of four assistant coaches for Spain's senior team, two coaches of the women's youth teams, and five other staff members for the senior and youth women's teams. Despite the move, his dismissal might have partly been informed by the fact that he applauded Rubiales' speech after all the controversy surrounding his kiss to Jenni Hermoso. 
 

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(Image: Sky Sports)