Several players of the Spanish national football team, who made a statement calling for profound changes in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last Friday after the Rubiales case and the non-consensual kiss to Jenni Hermoso, wanted to make it clear that their position does not done has changed. And that they will not wear the La Roja jersey again until they observe a reform of the association’s structures, which, in their opinion, does not allow them to work in appropriate conditions and does not respect them as women and footballers. This was expressed by at least 15 of the 23 players included in the list presented by coach Montse Tomé at 4:30 p.m.
In that note three days ago it was not as forceful as the football players are doing now in a new statement, which came six hours after the new national coach presented a list of 23 players in Friday’s note, 19 of which were 39 signatories were published.
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This statement was spread on social networks by some personalities of the last Women’s Football World Cup, which Spain won on August 20 in Sydney, such as Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes or Cata Coll, but also by others who gave up on this one Tournament as Mapi León or Patri Guijarro, up to two weeks: with María Pérez, Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle, Misa Rodríguez, Teresa Abelleira, Esther González, Eva Navarro, Oihane Hernández, Amaiur Sarriegi. In the note, they reported that they are considering the legal consequences the association is subjecting them to by putting them on a list they do not want to be on. Only eight of the footballers called up by Tomé did not make a statement before midnight: Enith Salon, Laia Aleixandri, the final scorer, Olga Carmona, Athenea Del Castillo, María Méndez, Inma Gabarro, Rosa Márquez and Lucía García.
“What was expressed on September 15th makes it clear and without the possibility of any other interpretation that our office will not be subpoenaed for legitimate reasons. “These statements remain fully valid,” they write. Furthermore, they point out that they have not informed the association of any change in their position.
When they were also called by coach Tomé, many of these football players who had not changed their minds spent the hours following the announcement studying the legal consequences they would face if they did not show up for the call. You could be punished with fines of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros and, for example, have your driving license revoked.
A few minutes before midnight, the Spanish Football Federation (AFE) released a statement in defense of the players. “Following the calls from the Spanish Football Federation for Spain’s women’s absolute and U-23 teams to play the Nations League and friendly matches respectively, we would like to express our astonishment at the lack of dialogue from the Royal Spanish Federation in the face of football the majority position of the drafted players on the basis of arguments that must be respected,” says the statement, which continues: “It is not clear how an institution that, as it has stated in recent weeks, “a new open stage for dialogue and consensus, shows once again such a lack of consideration for women’s football and the recently proclaimed world champions.”
The AFE also points to a call that was not carried out in a timely manner, pointing out “the lack of interest in women’s football by making the serious mistake of not sending the list of selected players to their clubs in a timely manner and not contacting them to comply with the regulations.” 15 days set by FIFA.” And finish. “This conflict has reached levels that are considered unbearable and are seriously damaging the image of Spanish women’s football. From the AFE, we appeal to the RFEF to stop its efforts to put pressure on the players and to investigate the reason for the loss of trust and support of many footballers who have been summoned.”
The national team players received numerous signs of support, including from Swedish national team players such as Filippa Angeldahl, one of the members of La Roja’s nearest rival in the Nations League.
🎙️ Swedish player Filippa Angeldahl, Spain’s nearest rival
🗣️ “We want them to feel all the support and for other countries to support them in every decision they make. If they believe they have to boycott the game for something to happen, we support them.”
(@iratividal) pic.twitter.com/Kz4rNp5ikA
— Era Women’s Football (@Erafutbolfem) September 18, 2023
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