“I am sad and disappointed”
15 goals was scored by striker Borja Iglesias for Real Betis last season, becoming Spain’s second-best goalscorer in LaLiga behind Joselu, who netted 16. In the course of the season, the 30-year-old was called up twice for the Spanish national team and made two appearances. There will be no further international matches for Iglesias for the time being. The goalscorer announced his resignation from the Seleccion to send a signal against association president Luis Rubiales.
In a memorable speech, the 46-year-old had previously announced his own resignation as a consequence of abusive behavior towards the Spanish women’s national team at the World Cup awards ceremony Jennifer Hermoso rejected. Rubiales kissed the 33-year-old footballer on the mouth after winning the World Cup and then said that this “happened without ill intention in a moment of maximum exuberance” (quoted via “SID”). On Friday the official said, among other things: “I’m not resigning. I will fight to the end.”
The outrage is part of a “false feminism” and he is the victim: “This is not about justice, but about a social execution.” Rubiales also offered national coach Jorge Vilda publicly announced a contract extension. He has been under criticism for a good year now, and in the meantime 15 players no longer wanted to play under him. Vilda is said to have forced his team, among other things, to leave hotel rooms unlocked in order to be able to check them without prior notice. There was also criticism of his sporting work.
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In the social medium “X” (formerly Twitter) Betis striker Iglesias wrote: “I’m sad and disappointed. As a footballer and as a person, I don’t feel represented by what happened today in the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas.” Wearing the Spanish national shirt is “one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my career. I don’t know if I’ll ever be an option again, but I’ve made the decision not to return to the national team until things change and such acts don’t go unpunished. For a fairer, more humane and more decent football.”
Criticism of Rubiales also from Casillas, Putellas, Prime Minister Sánchez & Co.
In addition to Iglesias, Hermoso was joined by other (ex-)professionals and clubs, both male and female, from LaLiga. The Spanish goalkeeper legend Iker Casillas wrote in relation to Rubiales’ speech: “An embarrassment.” And David de Gea said: “My ears are bleeding.” World footballer became clearer Alexia Putellas: “It is not acceptable. That’s it. I stand behind you, Jennifer Hermoso. ”Whether she also declared her resignation with these words remained open.
Several lawsuits are pending against Rubiales for the abusive behavior, including at FIFA. “FIFA reaffirms its unconditional commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and therefore strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” the world governing body said in a statement. The Spanish sports authority “CSD” also wants to take action against Rubiales, whose head Victor Francos wrote: “We will act, we have activated all mechanisms to take the appropriate measures.” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the association president’s previous apology as “insufficient “. The head of the Spanish League Association, Javier Tebas, who was contentious for his part, also shot Rubiales sharply. It is well known that the two do not have a good relationship with each other.
On Monday, Rubiales said in a video message from the RFEF: “There is one thing I regret and that is what happened between me and a player with whom I have a great relationship. I probably made a mistake there.” Shortly after the incident, Hermoso herself said that Rubiales’ kiss had not been agreed: “I didn’t like it.” A written statement then said on her behalf: “It was a spontaneous mutual gesture because of the great joy of winning a world championship. The ‘Presi’ and I have a great relationship.”
On Thursday, Hermoso called for consequences in a statement from the players’ union “Futpro” that the Spanish association should “protect the rights of our players and take exemplary measures”.
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