The players have spoken. They can say it louder, but not clearer. 21 of the 23 world champions, in a statement signed by 39 soccer players, have demanded a deep cleanup in the Spanish Football Federation, after having already informed the federative body that they are not eligible to play for the Spanish team. However, not all those who won the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand have signed the letter: Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza, who has announced his retirement from the national team, have decided not to take part. After the publication of the text, the Federation delayed, without an assigned time, the press conference and presentation of Montse Tomé as coach, where she had to announce the list for the Nations League matches, qualifiers for the next Olympic Games in Paris .
“We firmly believe that Strong changes are required in the leadership positions of the RFEF and, specifically, in the area of women’s football”, they emphasize in the writing. “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,” the soccer players say in a statement in which they have detailed the five points they demand in order to wear the national team shirt again: restructuring of the women’s football organization chartas well as cabinet of the presidency and the general secretarythe resignation of the president of the RFEF (referring to Luis Rubiales, already resigned), a restructuring of the communication and marketing area and also of the integrity address.
#It’s over pic.twitter.com/tV49CkOq4F
— Alexia Putellas (@alexiaputellas) September 15, 2023
The soccer players say they do not feel respected or in a “safe place.” They have been enduring disrespectful comments and behavior for years and, with these demands, they reiterate the need to provoke a complete restructuring that guarantees their professionalism and tranquility. “Today, as we have transmitted to the RFEF, The changes that have occurred are not enough for the players to feel in a safe placewhere women are respected, there is a commitment to women’s football, and where we can give our maximum performance,” they claim.
“The players of the Absolute National Team, recent world champions, as well as their teammates, wish to express, as they did on August 25, 2023, their enormous discontent after the events that occurred at the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup and the subsequent extraordinary assembly of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The facts that unfortunately everyone has been able to see are not something specific and go beyond sports. Faced with these acts we must have zero toleranceby our companion [Jenni Hermoso]for us and for all women,” begins the statement released by the players.
“After several weeks after what happened, we want to make public knowledge of the carrying out of various meetings with the RFEF in which the changes that we understand are basic to be able to move forward and reach a structure that does not tolerate or take part in such degrading events. The Players of the Spanish team at all times have had an open attitude to dialogue. 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“, they add.
Related news
“The soccer 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’s 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 and at the level of what we all deserve”, concludes the text of the internationals.
The letter is signed by 21 of the 23 world champions, as well as 12 of ‘the 15’ who were left out of the World Cup, and the players who were part of the pre-list for the World Cup event. The complete list is as follows: Ivana Andrés, Jana Fernández, María Isabel Rodríguez, Aitana Bonmatí, Patricia Guijarro, Oihane Hernandez, Olga Carmona, Alba Redondo, Lola Gallardo, Alexia Putellas, Nerea Eizagirre, Ona Batlle, Catalina Coll, Salma Paralluelo, Ainhoa Moraza, Rocío Gálvez, Enith Salón, María León, Sandra Paños, Esther González, Teresa Abelleira, Claudia Pina, Elena Lete, Irene Paredes, Irene Guerrero, Fiamma Benítez, Amaiur Sarriegi, Jennifer Hermoso, Inma Gabarro, Leila Ouahabi, Eva Navarro , Laia Codina, Laia Aleixandri, María Pérez, Marta Cardona, Lucía García, Mariona Caldentey, Maite Oroz and Andrea Pereira.