Spain's national coach forced out over World Cup scandal
The Guardian|September 06, 2023
Jorge Vilda has been sacked as Spain's coach and sporting director less than a month after winning the World Cup, as the country's football federation seeks to limit the damage caused by the crisis engulfing the team.
Sid Lowe and Ashifa Kassam
Spain's national coach forced out over World Cup scandal

The decision was announced as the first of a series of measures to "renew" women's football put in place by its interim president, Pedro. Rocha, although no specific reason was given for the dismissal.

Vilda had come under pressure after applauding the president of the federation, Luis Rubiales, during a speech in which he refused to resign, despite kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony at the end of the final in Sydney. After the incident, 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup-winning squad, announced that they would not play for the national team while "current administrators" were in place. Eleven members of the coaching staff also resigned.

Fifa, the world governing body, has since provisionally suspended Rubiales.

On Friday, Spain are due to name their squad for games against Sweden and Switzerland that will decide whether the world champions are at next summer's Olympics in Paris.

A meeting of the regional presidents decided that Vilda had to be removed as a matter of urgency and Rocha spoke to him yesterday morning to negotiate a severance agreement before the decision was formally announced in the afternoon.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView all
Bajrami and McCausland to the fore as Rangers seal impressive victory
The Guardian

Bajrami and McCausland to the fore as Rangers seal impressive victory

Rangers made a storming start to their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 win over Malmö in Sweden that should have been even more emphatic. Nedim Bajrami scored his first goal for the Ibrox club in less than a minute and Philippe Clement's side passed up several chances to add a second before the interval.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 27, 2024
Thames credit ratings cut to lower levels of junk as default fears grow
The Guardian

Thames credit ratings cut to lower levels of junk as default fears grow

Thames Water's debt rating has been slashed to the lower levels of junk by two major credit rating agencies, piling further pressure on the UK's biggest water company, which is rapidly running through cash and fighting to stave off renationalisation.

time-read
1 min  |
September 27, 2024
Austria Fears rise over prospect of far-right election win
The Guardian

Austria Fears rise over prospect of far-right election win

After topping the Austrian poll in June's EU elections, the far-right Freedom party (FPÖ) seized the moment, calling for the appointment of an EU \"remigration\" commissioner to be tasked with the forced return of migrants and citizens with a migration background to their countries of origin.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2024
'Cold and direct' Fayed's security chief accused of facilitating abuse
The Guardian

'Cold and direct' Fayed's security chief accused of facilitating abuse

It was May 1991 and Mohamed AI Fayed was in a foul mood. \"I told you, no sex with anybody else, no relationship with anybody else,\" he ranted.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 27, 2024
Allegations made over tycoon's years at Fulham FC
The Guardian

Allegations made over tycoon's years at Fulham FC

Sexual assault allegations have been made relating to Mohamed AI Fayed's 16 years of ownership of Fulham Football Club, lawyers representing his accusers have said.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2024
'No sane people are going' Leadership race casts pall over Tory conference
The Guardian

'No sane people are going' Leadership race casts pall over Tory conference

On Tuesday, four candidates will make their pitches to lead the Conservative party from a conference stage in Birmingham. Their immediate challenge after the Tory rout this summer will be to reinvigorate demoralised MPs and members.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 27, 2024
Pandemic as deadly as Covid-19 'a certainty', says Whitty
The Guardian

Pandemic as deadly as Covid-19 'a certainty', says Whitty

Another pandemic as big as the Covid crisis that killed 7 million people worldwide was \"a certainty\", Prof Sir Chris Whitty warned yesterday, as he said the UK's lack of intensive care capacity for the sickest patients was a \"political choice\".

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2024
Naomi Campbell banned as charity trustee for five years
The Guardian

Naomi Campbell banned as charity trustee for five years

Naomi Campbell has been banned from being a charity trustee after a watchdog investigation uncovered widespread evidence of financial misconduct at the poverty relief charity she founded.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2024
Family haunted by last moments of teenager killed by 12-year-olds
The Guardian

Family haunted by last moments of teenager killed by 12-year-olds

The family of a man killed by the UK's youngest knife murderers have said they are haunted by thoughts of his last moments and \"how scared he must have been\".

time-read
2 mins  |
September 27, 2024
London rail stations to be shut for up to eight days over festive period
The Guardian

London rail stations to be shut for up to eight days over festive period

Some of London's main railway stations will be closed and train services diverted at Christmas time, Network Rail has said.

time-read
1 min  |
September 27, 2024