Coach of Spain's World Cup-winning women's soccer team is fired weeks after victory celebration kiss

MADRID — The coach of Spain's World Cup-winning women's soccer team was fired Tuesday, less than three weeks after the victory celebration that led to the suspension of the country's soccer federation president for kissing a player.

The Spanish soccer federation offered no immediate explanation for the dismissal and mostly praised Jorge Vilda, saying he was ''key to the notable growth of women's soccer'' and thanking him for leading the national women's team to its first World Cup title and to No. 2 in the FIFA rankings.

Vilda was among those who at first applauded federation president Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the on-field victory celebrations last month in Sydney.

https://www.startribune.com/coach-of-spains-world-cup-winning-womens-soccer-team-is-fired-weeks-after-victory-celebration-kiss/600302135/