Despite their desire to strike, some Spanish footballers have traveled to the national team. According to the highest Spanish sports authority CSD, negotiations between the players and the football association have now been successful.
“We have come to a series of agreements that will be drawn up and signed tomorrow,” Victor Francos, president of Spain’s top sports authority CSD, announced on Wednesday. Only two of the 23 professionals called up for the Nations League are not prepared to go this route.
The negotiations probably lasted until the early hours of the morning. “The players have expressed to us their concern about the need for profound changes within the RFEF and the federation has promised that these changes will be implemented immediately,” Francos reported afterwards.
“We were forced to come here”
The day before, despite the announcement that they wanted to continue striking, at least eleven of the fifteen nominated world champions had bowed to pressure from the Spanish football association RFEF and the government and joined the national team. The association had threatened severe fines and long-term bans.
“We were forced to come here. But if they want to punish us, then they have to come,” said Barca defender Mapi Leon, who was not part of the victorious World Cup team, on the way to the national team. World footballer Alexia Putellas, who also gave in to the pressure, replied at Barcelona airport when asked how she felt: “Bad.”
Games against Sweden and Switzerland
Spain wants to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris via a game in Sweden on Friday and a home game against Switzerland next Tuesday. On Monday, the new national coach Montse Tomé, who is considered Rubiales’ confidant, nominated 15 world champions. They had previously announced that they did not want to be nominated as long as there were no fundamental changes in the association.
The criticism is based on paternalism and abusive behavior by men. Among other things, the players are demanding the removal of RFEF interim boss Pedro Rocha and other officials who are close to Rubiales.
Government threatens harsh punishments
Tomé assured journalists in Madrid on Monday that she had spoken to the footballers she had nominated and that none of them had refused to take part in the matches. In stark contrast to this was the players’ announcement late on Monday evening that they would continue their international strike.
The fact that many players arrived was probably also due to the pressure from the Spanish government. “If the players don’t compete, I’m sorry, the government must act and enforce the law,” said Víctor Francos, president of the top Spanish sports authority CSD, to the Spanish radio station “El Larguero” late on Monday evening.
According to Spanish sports law, refusing to compete despite being nominated is a particularly serious offense that can result in fines of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros and bans of several years.
Support from Sports Minister
The players received support from Sports Minister Miquel Iceta: “We call on the association to change the structures so that it is a place of safety, competitiveness and professionalism. The players and the Spanish population have a right to this.”
Hermoso comments Non-nomination
Jennifer Hermoso is missing from the squad, according to the association for her own protection. After winning the World Cup final in Sydney, the 33-year-old was kissed on the mouth by Rubiales without her consent at the award ceremony. The case sparked outrage around the world, after long resistance Rubiales resigned and the Spanish judiciary opened an investigation.
“What should I be protected from? And from whom?” Hermoso now wrote. There has never been any protection from the association in the past. The nomination of the players who had expressly asked not to be appointed is now “further proof that nothing has changed” have.