Jorge Vilda has been named the new manager of the Morocco women’s team following the scandal involving Luis Rubiales, who is under investigation for a non-consensual kiss with striker Jenni Hermoso.
Vilda, who won the Women’s World Cup with Spain in August, was sacked in September, 10 days after FIFA suspended former Spanish FA (RFEF) president Rubiales for giving a kiss non-consensual in Hermoso during the medal ceremony in Sydney.
The 42-year-old, who deemed his dismissal “unfair”, was widely criticized for repeatedly applauding Rubiales during an emergency meeting of the RFEF during which the latter denounced “fake feminism ” and vowed not to resign.
Vilda is also being investigated by the Spanish High Court in an alleged case of sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales following the controversial kiss.
Initially, only Rubiales was under formal investigation, while other federation officials and players were called as witnesses.
Former French coach Reynald Pedros joined Morocco in November 2020 and led the team to their first World Cup this year in Australia and New Zealand.
Morocco became the first Arab team to qualify for the round of 16, but after two friendly defeats against Zambia, Pedros was sent off.
“The book ends and I am very disappointed not to continue my mission with the Moroccan national team A. But I am so proud to have put this team on top of the world,” Pedros said on the social media platform x.