Former Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales has accused Spain’s women’s players of seeking “revenge” against him after he refused to dismiss manager Jorge Vilda.
Rubiales alleges that the players requested the dismissal of national team coach Jorge Vilda, a request he denied.
The 46-year-old claims that his subsequent dismissal and the initiation of a criminal investigation into his conduct were part of a revenge plot against him.
Rubiales faced backlash when he kissed Spain striker Jenni Hermoso, reportedly without consent, during the trophy presentation after Spain defeated England in the Women’s World Cup final.
Following three weeks of widespread condemnation, Rubiales resigned from his position as RFEF president.
Spain’s public prosecutor launched an investigation into his conduct after Hermoso claimed that Rubiales pressured her not to complain about the kiss.
In a YouTube interview with Alvise Perez, Rubiales said: “We have been very alone due to the blackmail that we have suffered from certain footballers, who told me to kick out [Jorge] Vilda. Whoever said that they did not ask for Vilda’s head, they asked me directly in a conversation.
“They wanted his head and since I didn’t give it to them, and with Jorge [Vilda], we have been world champions, because they saw the sky open with the opportunity and said, With this theatre, we took down Vilda and Rubiales; it was revenge.”
Rubiales went on to accuse Hermoso of lying in regard to his conduct after the kiss.
He said, “Jenni lies about the fact that I put pressure on her after the kiss, and she knows she is lying.”
In October, Jorge Vilda was named the head coach of the Morocco women’s team, despite facing allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Jenni Hermoso, who continues to represent Spain and plays for the Mexican Liga MX Femenil side CF Pachuca, accused Luis Rubiales of inappropriate behaviour.
Rubiales, banned from all football activities for three years by FIFA, is currently under investigation for charges of ‘sexual assault and coercion’.