'Vilda in' - Jubilant Spanish FA revel in World Cup glory

20.08.2023 - 17:01 rte.ie

The Spanish FA (RFEF) did not wait long after Spain won the Women's World Cup on Sunday before posting a pointed message on social media with a picture of coach Jorge Vilda kissing the trophy below the words "VILDA IN".The 42-year-old's long tenure as coach was called into question last year when 15 national team players sent letters to the RFEF saying they would no longer play for Spain while Vilda remained coach.The RFEF backed their coach and Vilda brought three of the mutineers back into the squad for the World Cup while freezing the others out and leaving them at home.There is no way of knowing what a full-strength Spain might have achieved in New Zealand and Australia but the squad that did get on the plane were good enough to beat England 1-0 on Sunday and claim the biggest prize in the women's game.☝️

soccer Sport FIFA Women's World Cup cup Jorge Vilda International Spain Australia New Zealand

England coach Sarina Wiegman said the crisis surrounding Spanish football in the wake of their World Cup win "really hurts" and shows there is still a "long way to go" in the women's game and society.

Women's World Cup 'kiss storm' Spanish president could face hefty FIFA ban

FIFA could ban former Hamilton Accies player Luis Rubiales from all football for 15 years, after the Spanish FA president kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s 1-0 Women’s World Cup final win over England.

FIFA Suspends Spanish FA Chief Following 'Kiss' Row In Women's World Cup Final

FIFA has suspended Spanish football association chief Luis Rubiales after his involvement in the 'kiss' controversy at the end of the Women's World Cup final. According to reports, he has been handed a 90-day suspension and he has also been barred from contacting Jenni Hermoso in any way, "(We) decided today to provisionally suspend Mr. Luis Rubiales from all football-related activities at national and international level," said world football's governing body in a statement, explaining it would last 90 days, pending their disciplinary proceedings. Rubiales kissed Hermoso after Spain's victory over England but Hermoso made it clear that the Spanish FA chief did not have her consent.

"I Will Not Resign": Spanish FA Chief On 'Kiss' Row In FIFA Women's World Cup Final

Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales refused to resign on Friday after a week of widespread criticism for his unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso following Spain's Women's World Cup triumph. Rubiales, 46, had been expected to step down as president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) after government ministers and figures within sport demanded his resignation and world football's governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against him. But he was defiant in a speech at an emergency meeting of the football federation. "I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign," shouted Rubiales "A consensual 'peck' is enough to get me out of here? I will fight until the end," he added.