Former RFEF president Luis Rubiales accuses Spain players of ‘revenge’ after claiming he refused to fire maligned head coach Jorge Vilda at their request

Rubiales has claimed that Spain's players asked him to dismiss national team coach Jorge Vilda, a request he refused. The 46-year-old has argued that his own dismissal and the criminal investigation into his conduct were part of a revenge plot against him.

Rubiales caused outrage when he kissed Spain striker Jenni Hermoso - allegedly without consent - during the trophy presentation following Spain's defeat of England in the Women's World Cup final. After three weeks of widespread condemnation, he resigned from his position as RFEF president. Spain's public prosecutor subsequently launched an investigation into his conduct, after Hermoso alleged that Rubiales pressured her not to complain about the kiss.

In a YouTube interview with Alvise Perez, Rubiales said: "We have been very alone due toblackmail that we have suffered from certain footballers, who told me to kick out [Jorge] Vilda.Whoever said that they did not ask for Vilda's head...they asked me directly in a conversation.They wanted his head and since I didn't give it to them, and with Jorge [Vilda] we have been world champions, because they saw the sky open with the opportunity andsaid, with this theater, we took down Vilda and Rubiales, it was revenge."

Rubiales went on to accuse Hermoso of lying in regard to his conduct after the kiss.

He said: "Jenni lies about the fact that I put pressure on her after the kiss, and she knows she is lying."

In October, Vilda was appointed head coach of the Morocco women's team, despite facing accusations of inappropriate conduct.

Hermoso continues to represent Spain and Mexican Liga MX Femenil side CF Pachuca.

Rubiales has been banned from all footballing activities for three years by FIFA, and is currently under investigation for the crimes of 'sexual assault and coercion'.