Photo: Mohammed Ayman Nechchad · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Spain · Nationality Spanish — Sport / sports governance

Jorge Vilda

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “2023–2025 Hermoso case: formally investigated then tried for alleged coercion following Rubiales kiss” and “Hermoso case: Vilda acquitted of coercion, acquittal upheld on appeal”.

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Profile No. 2661 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

8Sources

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

Case · 2 documented stages

Hermoso case: Vilda acquitted of coercion, acquittal upheld on appeal

Acquitted / conviction overturned

27 September 2023–February 2025

2023–2025 Hermoso case: formally investigated then tried for alleged coercion following Rubiales kiss

Formally charged

The Audiencia Nacional changed Vilda's status from witness to person under investigation (investigado) in the inquiry into possible pressure exerted on Jenni Hermoso following Rubiales's kiss. Vilda acknowledged speaking to Hermoso's brother to try to reduce the affair's media impact but denied any threats or coercion. He was subsequently tried for coercion in 2025.

Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
RTVEEl juez del 'Caso Rubiales' cita como imputados a Jorge Vilda, Albert Luque y Rubén RiveraBroadcastVery high reliability
[2]
ReutersSpain's former coach Jorge Vilda says he sought to downplay Rubiales kissPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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20 February–25 June 2025

Hermoso case: Vilda acquitted of coercion, acquittal upheld on appeal

Acquitted / conviction overturned

On 20 February 2025, Vilda was acquitted of coercion, as were Albert Luque, Rubén Rivera and Luis Rubiales on that aspect of the case. On 25 June, the Audiencia Nacional's appeal chamber upheld the acquittal in full.

Sources · 2

[1]
EFERubiales convicted of sexual assault over Hermoso kiss, acquitted of coercionNews agencyVery high reliability
[2]
EuronewsLa Audiencia Nacional confirma la condena a Rubiales por agresión sexual a Jennifer HermosoPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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September 2022–été 2023

2022 “Las 15”: fifteen internationals withdraw from national team amid dispute with Vilda's management

No legal proceedings

Fifteen Spanish players sent identical emails to the RFEF stating that they did not wish to be selected until issues affecting their emotional wellbeing and health were resolved. The dispute was widely linked to Vilda's methods, preparation and the level of professionalism; only three of the fifteen returned for the 2023 World Cup.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: Not applicable

Sources · 2

[1]
BBC SportJorge Vilda: Spanish federation sacks World Cup-winning coach amid Luis Rubiales kiss rowPressHigh reliability
[2]
Associated PressCoach of Spain's World Cup-winning women's soccer team is fired weeks after victory celebration kissPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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25–27 August 2023

August 2023: applauds Rubiales speech, then publicly condemns his conduct

No legal proceedings

Vilda applauded Luis Rubiales's speech several times at the RFEF assembly, during which Rubiales refused to resign and denounced “false feminism”. Two days later, Vilda described Rubiales's conduct towards Jenni Hermoso as inappropriate and unacceptable.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianJorge Vilda sacked as Spain coach amid continuing fallout over Rubiales kissPressHigh reliability
[2]
BBC SportJorge Vilda sacking: Ex-Spain manager on his exit after World Cup winPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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5 September 2023

Dismissed by RFEF following 2023 World Cup, officially described as renewal measure

No legal proceedings

Less than three weeks after winning the World Cup, Vilda was dismissed as national team coach. The decision formed part of the RFEF's restructuring amid the Rubiales crisis; Vilda described it as unfair and unexpected.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Associated PressCoach of Spain's World Cup-winning women's soccer team is fired weeks after victory celebration kissPressVery high reliability
[2]
BBC SportJorge Vilda sacking: Ex-Spain manager on his exit after World Cup winPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 14 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Luis Rubiales2 documented references
- August 2023: applauds Rubiales speech, then publicly condemns his conduct Source ↗
- Hermoso case: Vilda acquitted of coercion, acquittal upheld on appeal Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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