Vilda's coaching staff quits in protest amid Spanish football scandal

The Spanish football federation is dealing with a mass resignation of its coaching staff from the women's team.

Only head coach Jorge Vilda remains after all six members of his backroom team, plus five more who work at various youth team levels, resigned in protest over federation president Luis Rubiales' conduct.

"Given the unacceptable attitudes and statements made by the president, they have made the decision to relieve themselves of their duties," reads a statement from the former staff members, as translated by sports presenter Semra Hunter on Saturday.

Eighty-one players - including the 23 stars who won the 2023 Women's World Cup - signed a statement Friday declaring they wouldn't represent the national team again "under the current leaders."

The controversy engulfing Spanish football stems from Rubiales' celebrations after Spain defeated England in the World Cup final on Aug. 20. He was accused of planting an unsolicited kiss on attacker Jenni Hermoso and grabbed his crotch with Spain's Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter Princess Sofia standing nearby. The unsavory celebrations have prompted FIFA to suspend Rubiales for an initial 90-day period while its disciplinary committee conducts an investigation. The government is also planning to initiate proceedings that will require Rubiales to explain himself before Spain's administrative court.

Vilda was among those who applauded Rubiales' pledge to "fight" for his position during Friday's emergency meeting of Spain's football federation. The head coach is also under scrutiny after he appeared to touch the chest area of a female member of his coaching staff during the World Cup final.

Saturday's statement claims that several female members of the women's team coaching staff were "forced" to sit in the front row of Friday's meeting in an attempt to show support for Rubiales. Hermoso said Friday that the federation pressured her to justify Rubiales' kiss in a "testimony that had little or nothing to do with my feelings."

"It is not up to me to evaluate communication and integrity practices," Hermoso added, "but I am sure that as the world champion, we as a team do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile, and controlling culture."

The Spanish federation has threatened legal action against Hermoso for her "lies."

Spain won its first Women's World Cup at this summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand. However, the players' success has since been overshadowed by the scandal.