MADRID, 15 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A total of 39 Spanish footballers, including the vast majority of the world champions, have resigned from the national team until there are “conclusive changes in the leadership positions” of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and have stated that what has been done so far, including the resignation of Luis Rubiales as president, “are not enough” to feel “in a safe place.”
In the statement, the players recall the changes requested in the first meetings with the federation representatives, which were intended to ensure “absolute transparency” in the organization: a “restructuring of the organizational chart of women’s football”; the “restructuring of the presidential cabinet and the general secretary”; the “resignation of the president of the RFEF”; the “restructuring of the communication and marketing area”; and the “restructuring of the Integrity directorate.”
“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 forceful 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,” they indicated.
However, they consider that the changes made, including the resignation of Luis Rubiales, “are not enough.” “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, there is a commitment to women’s football and where we can give our maximum performance,” they point out.
Captain Ivana Andrés, double Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Alba Redondo, Cata Coll, Enith Salón, Esther González, Irene Paredes, Irene Guerrero, Jenni Hermoso, Laia Codina, María Pérez, Mariona Caldentey, Misa Rodríguez, Oihane Hernández, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo, Rocío Gálvez, Teresa Abelleira, Elene Lete, Fiamma Benítez, Inma Gabarro, Eva Navarro, Marta Cardona, Maite Oroz, Jana Fernández, Patricia Guijarro, Lola Gallardo, Nerea Eizagirre, Ainhoa ??Moraza, Mapi León, Sandra Paños, Claudia Pina, Amaiur Sarriegi, Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Lucía García and Andrea Pereira sign the statement.
However, two world champions such as Madrid players Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza do not do so, the latter of whom announced this Friday that she is retiring from the national team to focus on her club.
“THE EVENTS OF THE WORLD CUP AND THE ASSEMBLY ARE NOT A TIMELY THING”
Furthermore, the signatories reiterated their “enormous discontent” over the events that occurred during the World Cup medal ceremony, where Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso, and during “the subsequent extraordinary assembly of the RFEF.” “The events that unfortunately everyone has been able to see are not something specific and go beyond sports. In the face of these acts we must have zero tolerance, for our partner, for us and for all women,” they noted.
On the other hand, they recalled that during the meetings with the RFEF they expressed “clearly and forcefully” the changes that they understood to be “basic to be able to move forward and reach a structure that neither tolerates nor is part of such degrading events.” “The players of the Spanish team have at all times had an open attitude to dialogue, seeking to convey clear and well-argued reasons that we understand are necessary to be able to carry out our work at the highest level with the respect we deserve,” they stated.
“We want to end this statement by expressing that 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. Therefore, 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, that the current structure needs changes and we do it so that the next generations can have a much more equal football that lives up to what we we all deserve,” they concluded.
For now, the presentation of Montse Tomé as women’s coach and her first list at the head of the Spanish team, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. this Friday, has been delayed.
