Spain's celebrated victory in the Women’s World Cup has been overshadowed by allegations of inappropriate behavior by prominent figures in the country's football fraternity. Video footage has recently surfaced, drawing attention to Jorge Vilda, the coach of the World Cup-winning Spanish women’s football team, in what appears to be him inadvertently touching a female assistant’s chest while reveling in their match-winning goal against England.
This incident has been thrust into the limelight, following a more pronounced controversy involving the president of the Spanish soccer federation. The president drew national criticism after he was captured kissing a player on the lips without her consent during the award ceremony. The match, which took place in Sydney, Australia, concluded in a gripping 1-0 victory for Spain.
The video, which has been widely circulated, showcases an ecstatic Vilda embracing his assistants in the heat of celebration. The moment of contention arises when, while turning back to the match, his hand seemingly makes unintended contact with a female assistant's chest. In the same moment, his other hand was seen touching a male assistant.
The Associated Press reported that the Spanish soccer federation has not yet provided any official comment on the incident.
The misconduct allegations against the federation president, Luis Rubiales, have already drawn the attention of Spain's acting Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. Earlier this week, Sánchez vocalized his concerns, urging accountability for Rubiales' behavior during the final. Calls for Rubiales' resignation have been intensifying in the backdrop of these events.
While these controversies have cast a shadow over Spain's World Cup triumph, it's essential to remember the significance of this victory in the broader context of women's soccer in Spain. The country now proudly stands alongside Germany as the only two nations to have clinched both the women's and men's World Cup titles.
Vilda’s leadership, especially leading the team to this monumental win barely a year after facing dissent from 15 players demanding significant changes, underscores his capabilities as a coach. It's notable that prior to this incident, no allegations of misconduct had been publicly associated with Vilda.
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