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FOOTBALL

Most of Spanish women’s football team staff, except Vilda, offer to quit over Rubiales

The majority of the Spanish women's national team coaching staff offered their resignations on Saturday over federation chief Luis Rubiales' conduct, although controversial coach Jorge Vilda was not among them.

Spain's defender Rocio Galvez is congratulated by RFEF president Luis Rubiales (R) next to Spain's Jennifer Hermoso after Spain's football World Cup final win
Spain's defender Rocio Galvez is congratulated by RFEF president Luis Rubiales (R) next to Spain's Jennifer Hermoso after Spain's football World Cup final win. Most of the team's coaching staff have offered to resign over Rubiales' conduct. Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

“In light of the unacceptable attitudes and statements made by the leader of the RFEF (Spanish football federation), (we) have made the decision to place (our) jobs at the disposition of the RFEF,” read a statement released on social media, signed by 11 federation staff members.

Six of the staff who are offering to resign worked with the first team squad during their Women’s World Cup triumph, while the others operate at various youth age levels for the RFEF.

“The undersigned express their firmest and most emphatic condemnation of the conduct shown by (Rubiales),” wrote the RFEF staff members, referring to his kiss of Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso, who said she did not consent to it.

“(After) the president of the RFEF did not present his resignation and… offered a story that does not reflect in any way any of the feelings of (Hermoso) who has expressly stated that she felt like a ‘victim of assault’, (we) support the player Jennifer Hermoso, endorsing her version of events.”

Rubiales, suspended from his post by football governing body FIFA on Saturday, planted a kiss on Hermoso’s lips after Spain beat England to win the World Cup on Sunday in Sydney.

READ ALSO: FIFA suspend Spanish football chief Rubiales after Hermoso kiss

Under unprecedented pressure, the president was expected to resign on Friday but insisted he would not quit.

Hermoso said she “in no way” consented to the kiss, while Rubiales says she agreed to it.

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RACISM

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

The Spanish Football Federation on Thursday accepted Atlético Madrid's appeal against a partial stadium ban after racial abuse directed at Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

Atlético Madrid win appeal over racist abuse sanction

Atlético were initially ordered to partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches following monkey chants heard by Spain international Williams at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium last month.

The federation pointed to Atlético’s “active cooperation” in their decision to lift the stadium ban and a €20,000 ($21,350) fine.

Williams heard the abuse when he went to take a corner. He subsequently scored, pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour, in his side’s 3-1 defeat on April 28th.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit” he said after the match.

Atlético identified the person responsible for the abuse from cameras in the stadium. He was handed over to the police when the game ended, and banned from the club.

The federation praised Atlético’s swift action in what they accepted was “an isolated incident”.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

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