Affaire Luis Rubiales : plusieurs joueuses espagnoles grévistes se sont présentées à un rassemblement de leur sélection
At least six Spanish international female football players, including five who had been on strike since the “Rubiales affair,” finally attended their national team’s first gathering in Madrid on Tuesday, September 19. This came after they reiterated the previous day that they did not wish to play with the Roja for the time being, as reported by an AFP journalist (Agence France-Presse).
The new coach, Montse Tomé, surprised everyone on Monday by announcing a list that included fifteen world champions and other players who had requested not to be selected, pending changes within the Spanish federation. However, a few hours after the announcement of this list, most of these players reiterated their “desire not to be called up.”
“We believe it is relevant to specify that the summons was not made in a timely manner and according to the proper procedures. Therefore, we understand that the RFEF [Spanish Football Federation] cannot demand our presence,” insist the players, referring to an article from FIFA which states that the federation must provide a notice of at least fifteen days. “Once again, we regret that our federation has put us in a position that we never wished to be in,” they conclude.
“Illegitimate absences from international Spanish players who fail to attend their national team call-ups will be penalized,” stated Victor Francos, President of the Higher Council of Sports (CSD), in response on Monday night.
Scandale international
“I cannot reword”
The players have been on strike since Luis Rubiales, the former head of Spanish football, forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso after the Roja’s World Cup victory. Mr. Rubiales has since been forced to resign after the international scandal that followed and the complaint filed by the player.
Concernant Jenni Hermoso, Montse Tomé a déclaré lui avoir parlé, sans révéler le contenu de leur discussion, avant d’assurer que ne pas la sélectionner était, selon elle, « la meilleure façon de la protéger ».
“I cannot reword.”
L’Espagne doit affronter la Suède le 22 septembre, et la Suisse le 26, en Ligue des nations, tournoi qualificatif pour les Jeux olympiques de Paris 2024.
