Spain's World Cup champions boycott until soccer chief is ousted

author: FutureCar Staff    

Friday was expected to be the day that Luis Rubiales, the head of Spain's soccer federation, would resign. However, that did not happen, and as a result, members of the national women's soccer team have vowed not to play as long as Rubiales and other leaders remain in power.

During an emergency meeting of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rubiales claimed that the kiss he planted on the mouth of player Jennifer Hermoso after the Women's World Cup final was consensual and mutual. He also labeled himself as the victim of "false feminists." Despite some applause from the mostly male audience, Rubiales stated five times that he will not resign.

While Federation Vice President Rafael del Amo and two others announced their resignations, Rubiales held firm. However, Spain's national team players find this unacceptable. Futpro, the players' union, released a statement in which Hermoso clarified that she did not consent to the kiss.

In a joint statement with more than 50 other players, Spain's World Cup squad expressed their refusal to play for the national team unless the current leaders are removed. They called for real changes in both the sporting and structural aspects of the team to ensure continued growth and to prevent the tarnishing of Spanish women's soccer.

Hermoso also released her own statement, describing the kiss as an act of aggression and sexism that she did not consent to. She felt vulnerable and disrespected.

Many top national team players, who would likely be part of the 2023 Women's World Cup squad, had already refused to play under Spain's coach, Jorge Vilda, who was booed after the team's win.

Spain's government has initiated proceedings to suspend Rubiales, and FIFA has announced its own disciplinary proceedings against him. The hashtag "#SeAcabo" has been trending on Twitter in Spain, which translates to "It's over."

FutureCar Staff