2023-09-20 08:45:00
On strike since the president’s stolen kiss on Jenni Hermoso, most of the Spanish players have agreed to return to play with La Roja, in return for “profound changes”.
The majority of Spanish internationals, on strike since the Rubiales affair, agreed on Wednesday to rejoin the selection to face Sweden in the Nations League, following an agreement with the Federation and the government.
«We have reached a series of agreements which will be drawn up and signed tomorrow by the Federation and the Superior Sports Council“, Secretary of State for Sports Victor Francos told the press on Wednesday, after negotiations that lasted until the early hours of the morning.
Also read: Rubiales affair: Jenni Hermoso accuses the Spanish football federation of intimidation and threats
«Of the 23 players summoned, two requested the possibility of leaving the training camp for reasons (…) of personal discomfort», added Mr. Francos.
The government representative did not reveal the names of the two players concerned, but stressed that they would not be subject to sanctions, contrary to what had been previously announced.
«The players told us of their concern about the need for profound changes within the RFEF (the Spanish football federation, Editor’s note) and the federation promised that these changes would take place immediately“, Mr. Francos said on Wednesday.
Mr. Francos said the agreement plans to develop Spanish law on “gender policies, progress in equal pay, in structures for sport and specifically for women’s football».
According to the Spanish press, one of these immediate changes could be the departure of RFEF Secretary General Andreu Camps.
“Intimidate and threaten”
The new coach of Spain, Montse Tomé, created a surprise on Monday by summoning for the matches against Sweden and Switzerland around fifteen world champions and other players who had asked not to be selected until that there are profound changes within the football federation.
Following the scandal of the forced kiss of former president Luis Rubiales imposed on footballer Jenni Hermoso during the World Cup in Australia, these footballers considered that the resignation of Mr. Rubiales and the dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda were insufficient.
Read also Forced kiss: Luis Rubiales banned from approaching Jenni Hermoso, the crisis in Spanish football is escalating
On Tuesday, the Spanish internationals finally went to the women’s team meeting, while affirming that they did not want to play again until a total overhaul of their federation took place.
FC Barcelona defender Mapi Leon, who has been denouncing the dysfunctions of Spanish women’s football for months but is not one of the strikers, believed she was forced to join the rally.
Under Spanish sports law, players who refused the summons risked sanctions — fines of up to 30,000 euros, and suspension of their license for a period of up to five years.
«If the players do not show up, the government must enforce the law», Warned the president of the Superior Sports Council (CSD) Victor Francos on Cadena Ser radio.
“Deprive Spain of its team”
Questioned by a journalist who asked her if she was “happy» to be on the team, goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez responded “non», confirming the fact that the strikers were returning against their will, due to potential sanctions.
Dismissed by Tométo protect her», Hermoso had accused the Spanish federation of “intimidate and threaten» the world champions.
The world champions received the support of their future opponents. “If they feel they have to boycott for something to happen, clearly we support them», Assured Swedish international Filippa Angeldahl.
«The RFEF has no right to deprive Spain of its women’s national team, especially after winning a World Cup“, for his part declared Tuesday the Spanish Minister of Culture and Sports, Miquel Iceta, asking that the Spanish federation be “a place of safety, competitiveness and professionalism.»
Spain is due to face Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on September 26 in the Nations League, a qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and plans to fly to Sweden on Thursday.
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