All the world champions, except Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza, considered this Friday that the changes made by the Spanish Federation (RFEF) are not enough to promote their return to the national team after the scandal surrounding the non-consensual kiss of Luis Rubiales Jenni Hermoso.
“Today we told the RFEF that the changes that have occurred are not enough to give players the feeling of a safe place where women are respected, there is a commitment to women’s football and we can perform to our maximum potential. “ says the statement signed by 39 footballers.
The announcement, made by two-time Ballon d’Or winner and signee Alexia Putellas, comes almost simultaneously with new women’s coach Montse Tomé releasing the list for the Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland.
According to association sources, the publication of the list was delayed after the signatures of world champions Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza were missing from the declaration.
The players reiterated in their statement “their enormous dissatisfaction” with what happened at the World Cup medal ceremony, when former RFEF president Luis Rubiales forced a kiss on Jenni Hermoso.
“In light of these acts, we must show zero tolerance towards our partner, ourselves and all women,” the note said.
They also report several meetings with the Federation in which they stated: “The changes we understand are fundamental to moving forward and achieving a structure that does not tolerate or participate in such degrading events.”
“We firmly believe that strong changes are needed in the leadership positions of the RFEF and in particular in the area of women’s football,” they emphasize.
For this reason, they call for “a restructuring of the organizational chart of women’s football, a restructuring of the Presidential Cabinet and the Secretary General, the resignation of the President of the RFEF, a restructuring of the communications and marketing sector and a restructuring of the integrity sector.”
The players would therefore, according to the press, demand the resignation of the interim president of the RFEF, Pedro Rocha, who took over the management of the team after Rubiales’ departure and is expected to continue with him.
Finally, the signatories point out that “what we are most proud of is wearing our team’s jersey and always leading our country to the highest positions,” but now “we believe it is time to fight to show off “That these situations and.” “Exercises have no place in our football or in our society.”
