The Spanish women’s football team manager, Jorge Vilda, has been sacked in the wake of the Rubiales kiss furore, Reuters reports.

The former coach led Spain to World Cup victory when his side beat England 1-0 in the final.

But he faced scrutiny after he applauded RFEF President Luis Rubiales’ controversial speech at the RFEF assembly last Friday.

Rubiales has faced widespread criticism after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of Spain’s 1-0 victory against England in the final on 20 August.

Addressing Vilda directly on Friday, Rubiales called him the best coach in women’s football and offered him a new four-year contract worth €500,000 (£429,000) a year.

By Saturday, Vilda had changed his tune, releasing a statement criticising Rubiales, but stopping short of calling for his resignation or dismissal.

“What an incredible turn of events it has been,” Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris said.

“Vilda was there celebrating Spain’s first ever Women’s World Cup success just over two weeks ago in Sydney, and here he is the latest figure to be departing the national team.”

Read more:
Who is Luis Rubiales?
‘Eye-opening response’ in Madrid to World Cup kiss
Who said what in World Cup kiss row

Even before the World Cup final, Vilda’s leadership was called into question, after 15 Spanish players refused to play for him.

They claimed that they had concerns about their health and emotional state. Only three of those players returned to the fold for the World Cup campaign.

“The day before the final against England, he was asked about these very notable welfare concerns and his response was merely ‘next question please’,” Harris said.

“We have really been awaiting this decision ever since he was seen so closely aligned to Rubiales.”

‘Enormous damage done’

Earlier on Tuesday, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) apologised for the “enormous damage done” in the wake of the kiss, saying Rubiales’ actions do not reflect the federation and that they are “embarrassed” by his actions.

In a statement, they said changes would be made at the top of the organisation.

“We are sorry that this incident has disrupted what should have been an ongoing celebration of football both for our national team and that of England’s Lionesses, who were a truly remarkable rival in a thrilling final,” they said.

Rubiales was also handed a provisional suspension from FIFA for 90 days last week, amid his refusal to step down, despite widespread mounting pressure upon him to do so from within Spanish football and the government.

In the wake of calls for him to step down, the 46-year-old issued a fresh defence in which he admitted he had made “some obvious mistakes” which he sincerely regrets, but at no time was there any aggression or discomfort when the kiss occurred.

“I repeat: with the consent of both parties, both in the affectionate hugs, as well as in the peak and subsequent farewell full of affectionate mutual gestures, that occurred on the medals delivery stage,” he said.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

Princess Latifa: Police receive letter calling for new probe into disappearance of royal’s sister UEFA abolishes away goals rule after more than half a century Truck driver takes on flooded suspension bridge… and loses At least 125 dead after torrential rain triggers floods and landslides in India ‘I will put a bullet in the heads of these Americans’ – Haiti gang behind kidnap demand ransom in video Germans will be ‘vaccinated, recovered or dead’ by end of winter, health minister says Putin demands payment in roubles for Russian gas supplies or contracts will be ‘halted’ Wimbledon finalists Djokovic and Kyrgios develop unlikely ‘bromance’ ‘I was bricking it’: Briton survives apocalyptic avalanche – and he filmed it Medicinal syrup ingredients may be linked to Indonesia child deaths from acute kidney injury ‘We had children inside and we were the ones being attacked’: Huwara residents reflect on night of violence AI tool finds sperm in infertile men faster and more accurately than doctors