Spain football crisis escalates as Jorge Vilda sacked despite Women's World Cup win
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The decision comes less than a month after their victory over England
Spain have sacked Jorge Vilda, the manager of their female team, despite the country's success at the Women's World Cup last month.
The 42-year-old guided his side to a 1-0 win over England in the final of the competition.
However, Vilda has long been unpopular among his players and his head has now rolled.
Spanish football is currently in crisis, with FA chief Luis Rubiales in the spotlight following his controversial decision to kiss Jenni Hermoso.
Jorge Vilda had previously seemed to be in support of Luis Rubiales
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Vilda was seen applauding Rubiales' recent controversial speech, with the 46-year-old refusing to step down from his position.
Rubiales had previously offered his compatriot a fresh four-year deal worth £429,000 per year in order to stay.
Vilda then appeared to U-turn on his stance and released a statement criticising his superior for his decision to kiss Hermoso.
"The events that have taken place since Spain won the Women's World Cup for the first time in its history and to this day have been a real nonsense and have generated an unprecedented situation, tarnishing a well-deserved victory for our players and our country," he said at the end of last month.
"I regret deeply that the victory of Spanish women's football has been harmed by the inappropriate behaviour that our until now top leader, Luis Rubiales, has carried out and that he himself has recognised.
"There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular.
"I condemn without doubt any macho attitude, [which should be] far from an advanced and developed society.
"A clearly undesirable climate has been generated, far from what should have been a great celebration of Spanish sport and women's sport.
"I reiterate my unwavering commitment to promoting a sport that is a model of equality and respect in our society."
Vilda's entire coaching staff resigned prior to the departure of the manager.
And the Spanish FA have vowed to bring change in the wake of the Rubiales scandal.
Rubiales' stand-in replacement, Pedro Rocha, issued a statement earlier on Tuesday that read: “Those actions do not reflect at all the values of the whole Spanish society, its institutions, its representatives, its athletes and the leaders of Spanish sport.
“Spanish society is an example of tolerance and civility, in all social and political spheres and has been an example of behaviour and sporting decorum, as it has demonstrated for decades in all sporting events in which it has participated.
“That nobility and international prestige of our society and our sport have been tarnished in recent days by the actions of Mr Luis Rubiales.
“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.”
Rocha added: “The RFEF (Spanish FA) 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.
“We feel deeply sorry for the damage caused and therefore, we must ask for the most sincere apologies and acquire a firm and absolute commitment that facts like these can never happen again.
“Both the governing body of the world of football, FIFA, and the bodies responsible for sport in Spain have immediately adopted the appropriate measures, opening disciplinary proceedings against Mr Rubiales.
“In the case of FIFA's decision, that saw the immediate suspension of his functions as president of the RFEF.
“We are seeking a definitive resolution as soon as possible to repair the damage caused.
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Jorge Vilda had been offered a new deal after guiding Spain to glory at the Women's World Cup
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“Winning the World Cup was one of the proudest moments in the history of the Spanish Federation and one of the most important moments of Spanish sport and of women's football.
“The actions of Mr Rubiales both at that moment and in the following hours are not acceptable under any circumstances.”