Spain’s Jorge Vilda blasts Luis Rubiales for ‘unacceptable’ kiss

The drama surrounding the Spanish women’s soccer team president has taken yet another twist — this time, the head coach is speaking out.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda blasted team president Luis Rubiales — who FIFA suspended for 90 days — for his nonconsensual kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso after the team’s World Cup victory over England on Aug. 20.

Rubiales has refused to resign as Hermoso called the kiss “impulsive” and “sexist,” while Rubiales has initially claimed it was “mutual and with consent.”

“The events that have taken place since Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in its history and to this day have been a real nonsense and have generated an unprecedented situation, tarnishing a well-deserved victory for our players and our country,” Vilda said to Spanish news agency EFE on Saturday.

“I regret deeply that the victory of Spanish women’s football has been harmed by the inappropriate behavior that our until now top leader, Luis Rubiales, has carried out and that he himself has recognized.

“There is no doubt that it is unacceptable and does not reflect at all the principles and values that I defend in my life, in sport in general and in football in particular.”

Following Rubiales’ suspension,  the president of Spain’s Women’s Football Committee Rafael del Amo, along with a slew of coaches across the entirety of the country’s women’s soccer program, resigned.

“I condemn without doubt any macho attitude, [which should be] far from an advanced and developed society. A clearly undesirable climate has been generated, far from what should have been a great celebration of Spanish sport and women’s sport,” Vilda added in the statement.

“I reiterate my unwavering commitment to promoting a sport that is a model of equality and respect in our society.”

Fifty-five players on Spain’s women’s national team also signed a petition that said they would boycott the team until Rubiales is removed from his position, explaining they “want to express their firm and resounding condemnation of behaviors that have violated the dignity of women.”