Spain’s World Cup-winning female team has decided to halt their boycott. This decision comes as a response to the Spanish Football Association’s commitment to implement significant and swift structural reforms.
The players had declared their refusal to play for the Spanish national team until additional reforms were implemented within the federation.
This intensified an ongoing crisis that originated when the former president of the Spanish Football Association, Luis Rubiales, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup presentation ceremony.
The choice to end the boycott was made at approximately 5am in the local time zone following discussions including the participation of the players, Spanish Football Association (RFEF) representatives, the National Sports Council (CSD), and the women’s soccer players’ union FUTPRO.
Victor Francos, the Spanish secretary of state for sports, announced that the RFEF has pledged “immediate and profound changes.”
Two out of the 23 players, however, initially selected for the Nations League matches scheduled for this month have opted to withdraw from the team.
Spain has scheduled matches against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on Tuesday in the Nations League.
Francos said, “The players have also shown us their concern about the need to make profound changes in the RFEF, and the RFEF has committed to ensuring that these changes occur immediately.
“Of the 23 called up, two players have requested the possibility of leaving the concentration for reasons of lack of spirit and personal discomfort.
Both Francos and Rafael del Amo, who heads the RFEF committee for women’s football, did not provide further details regarding the upcoming alterations, stating only that they would be unveiled in the near future.
Francos announced the formation of a collaborative commission involving RFEF, CSD, and athletes, with the purpose of monitoring the agreements that are set to be officially signed.
Frances Ibiefo
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