All members of the Spanish national team’s coaching staff have resigned since their World Cup victory, with the exception of coach Jorge Vilda, due to the Luis Rubiales dispute.
Assistant managers Montse Tomé, Javier Lerga and Eugenio Gonzalo Martin have all resigned, along with physiotherapist Blanca Romero Moraleda and goalkeeper coach Carlos Sanchez.
Six other national team workers of different age levels also resigned.
FIFA suspended Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, on Saturday after he kissed striker Jenny Hermoso on the lips following the Women’s World Cup final victory over England in Sydney.
The coaching staff said in a statement: “These mentioned below express their firm and resounding condemnation of the behavior shown by the president of the Spanish Football Federation.”
He gave a story that in no way reflected what Jenny Hermoso felt, who explicitly stated that she felt like a “victim of aggression”.
He added, “In view of the unacceptable positions and statements made by the president, they have taken the decision to relieve themselves of their duties.”
Spain men’s coach Luis de la Fuente, who applauded Rubiales on Friday when he gave a speech saying he would not quit, issued a statement on Saturday criticizing him.
“The behavior of Luis Rubiales did not respect the minimum protocol that must be followed in these celebrations,” said de la Fuente.
“It is not useful or appropriate for someone who has been representing the whole of Spanish football. He himself has publicly admitted the inappropriateness of his behaviour.”
Rubiales He refused to resign After the incident, the Spanish Football Federation said it would take time Legal action regarding Hermoso’s “lies”.
She said the kiss was not consensual, but Rubiales, 33, disputes the version of events.
Hermoso on Friday issued a long statement on social media, saying, “I want to make it clear that at no time did the conversation that Mr. Luis Rubiales referred to in his speech take place and, above all, was his kiss consensual at all.” The striker, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, added that his allegations were “absolutely false and part of the culture of manipulation he has generated”. “I feel the need to report this incident because I don’t believe anyone in any business, sport or social environment must be a victim of these types of non-conforming behaviour,” he added. I felt vulnerable and the victim of impulsive, sexist and inappropriate behavior, without any consent on my part. I was disrespected.”
Manager Vilda is an ally of Rubiales, and the latter said on Friday he wanted to offer him a new four-year contract, for €500,000 (£429,000) a year.
Filda survived an outburst last year when 15 players submitted identical emails saying they would not play for Filda unless “significant” concerns about their “emotional state” and “health” were addressed.
Earlier on Saturday, FIFA announced its decision to “Comment by Mr. Luis Rubiales provisionally of all football-related activities at the national and international levels.
In response, the RFEF said Rubiales would “defend himself legally”.
FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the 46-year-old president on Thursday.
FIFA also ordered Rubiales or any representative of the Spanish federation to refrain from attempting to contact Hermoso.
An exciting week for Spanish football
20 August – During the party following the World Cup final, Rubiales hugs Spanish striker Hermoso for the first time and then kisses him on the lips.
Hermoso later responded to the kiss during the live broadcast and said she “didn’t enjoy it”.
21 August – Rubiales issues an apology saying he is “sorry to those who have been offended” after being heavily criticized by other footballers, the media and even the Spanish Prime Minister, some of whom have called for him to step down.
August 24 – FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings to examine Rubiales’ actions.
25 August – Defiant Rubiales insists at an emergency meeting of the Spanish Football Federation that he will not resign, describing the kiss as “consensual”.
25 August – The Spanish government says it has launched legal proceedings seeking to stop Rubiales, with Spain’s sports minister saying he “wants this to be a MeToo moment in Spanish football”.
August 25 – Later that day, Hermoso released a statement on Instagram denying Rubiales’ claims, saying “at no time was his kiss at all consensual.”
25 August – 81 Spanish players – including all 23 players who have competed in the Women’s World Cup – announce that they will not play for the Spain women’s national team until Rubiales is sacked.
26 August – The Spanish Football Federation said it would take legal action against Hermoso for her “lies” about the kiss.
26 August – FIFA announces that it has temporarily suspended Rubiales pending the results of the disciplinary proceedings.
August 26 – A mass resignation of the coaches in protest of Rubiales’ behavior is announced.
