Twenty-one of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad have issued a press release saying the resignation of Luis Rubiales is “not enough” to set off their return to nationwide staff obligation.
A gaggle of 81 gamers, together with all 23 members of the World Cup squad, launched a press release final month indicating they might not play for Spain once more whereas Rubiales remained in publish.
He lastly introduced his resignation because the Spanish federation (RFEF) president final Sunday after weeks of criticism over his behaviour on the World Cup ultimate, the place he kissed Spain participant Jenni Hermoso on the lips throughout the medal presentation. Hermoso insists she didn’t consent to the kiss.
However, the massive majority of the victorious squad stay unavailable for this month’s Nations League matches towards Sweden and Switzerland, saying they aren’t but “in a safe place” to return and that the issues on the RFEF run far deeper than Rubiales.
The assertion, which incorporates the signatures of star names equivalent to Hermoso, Alexia Putellas, Olga Carmona and former Manchester United participant Ona Batlle, mentioned: “Today, as we have transmitted to the RFEF, the changes that have occurred are not enough for the players to feel in a safe place, where women are respected, where there is a commitment to women’s football and where we can give our maximum performance.
“The players of the Spanish team are professional players, and what fills us most with pride is wearing the shirt of our team and always leading our country to the highest positions.
“For this reason, we believe that it is time to fight to show that these situations and practices have no place in our football or in our society and that the current structure needs changes. We do it so that the next generations can have a much more equal game that we all deserve.”
The assertion requires a restructuring of the ladies’s soccer division, the RFEF’s presidential cupboard and basic secretariat, the communications division and the integrity division.
The assertion can be signed by numerous gamers who withdrew from the Spain squad final yr over circumstances throughout the nationwide staff set-up, together with Mapi Leon and Patricia Guijarro. In all, 39 gamers have been signatories to the assertion.
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One change that has been made for the reason that preliminary 81-player assertion is the dismissal of World Cup-winning head coach Jorge Vilda.
His successor, Montse Tome, was as a result of identify her squad for the Nations League double-header at 3pm UK time, however the RFEF mentioned on Twitter the announcement had been “delayed to a new time to be confirmed”.
The gamers’ assertion added: “The events that unfortunately everyone has been able to see (in Sydney) go beyond sports. We must have zero tolerance for these acts, for our team-mates, for ourselves and for all women.
“Several weeks after what happened, we want to make public the holding of various meetings with the RFEF in which the staff have expressed clearly and forcefully the changes that we understand are essential to be able to move forward and reach a structure that does not tolerate or take part in such degrading events.
“The players of the Spanish team have at all times had an open attitude to dialogue, seeking to convey clear conditions that we understand are necessary to be able to carry out our work at the highest level with the respect we deserve.
“The specified changes to the RFEF are based on zero tolerance for those people who, from a position within the RFEF, have had, incited, hidden or applauded attitudes that go against the dignity of women. We firmly believe that strong changes are required in the leadership positions of the RFEF and specifically, in the area of women’s football. All of these people understand that they must be far from the system that should protect us and that unfortunately is far removed from an advanced society.”
Midfielder Claudia Zornoza was one of many World Cup winners to not put her identify to the assertion however revealed after its launch she had opted to retire from worldwide soccer, a call taken earlier than the match.
She added on Instagram: “I would like to express my solidarity with my team-mates and wish that the structure of the entire national team changes once and for all.”
The RFEF issued a press release in a while Friday acknowledging that adjustments are wanted and can be carried out ‘as quickly as possible, progressively’.
Pedro Rocha, who will lead the ‘transition process’ till the subsequent elections, mentioned: “We must start at the beginning. It is essential to guarantee the future of Spanish football to undertake transformations progressively and recover the dignity and credibility lost after the events of the World Cup.
“This institution is above people and it is vital that it remains strong. We are going to work tirelessly on this, stabilising first to progress later.
“It is essential that international organisations, the media and society understand this and help us do so. A lot is at stake and we must be aware.”
Earlier, Rubiales appeared in a Madrid court docket to reply an accusation of sexual assault from Hermoso and one in all coercion added by prosecutors.
Prosecutors have requested a restraining order be imposed upon Rubiales stopping him from contacting Hermoso or going inside 500 metres of her. They additionally requested Rubiales seem in court docket on a fortnightly foundation. He has denied the accusations towards him.
