Spain World Cup-winning squad say they won’t represent the country again until Luis Rubiales is removed

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 26/08/2023

Members of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s team have stated they will no longer play for La Roja except Spain Football Federation president Luis Rubiales resigns or is sacked.

Rubiales has refused to resign after calls for his dismissal. The football chief was caught on camera kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal and trophy presentation following Spain’s triumph at the Women’s World Cup earlier this month.

Luis Rubiales was captured kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the medals presentation ceremony (Image: La Tercera)

Hermoso said in a statement by players’ union FUTPRO that “in no moment” did she consent to a kiss on the lips by Rubiales.

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The 46-year-old claimed in an emergency meeting of the Spanish soccer federation that the kiss was consensual.

Meanwhile, not less than 56 players, including Hermoso and all of Spain’s 23-player squad at the World Cup, signed a joint statement sent through their FUTPRO union demanding the ouster of Rubiales.

Following the Rubiales-Hermoso incident, president of Spain’s women’s football committee Rafael del Amo has already stepped down.

“we will suspend Mr Rubiales in his functions…. if”

Victor Francos, who is head of the National Sports Council told a press conference that Rubiales’ refusal to leave his position has aggravated the situation.

Luis Rubiales is not new to criticisms during his time as Spain’s football federation president (Image: El Confidencial)

“Mr Rubiales said he was not resigning. We want to convey one thing with all the institutional respect that the president of the RFEF deserves,” Francos said.

“The government begins today the procedures so that Mr Rubiales has to give explanations before the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD) and, if the TAD is willing, we will suspend Mr Rubiales in his functions.

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“Today we will file a complaint with the TAD. The complaint will arrive this afternoon and we request that there be an extraordinary meeting of the court next Monday.

“We want this to be the ‘Me Too’ of Spanish football and that this means a change. I apologise to the players, because they didn’t deserve this week. Hopefully we can celebrate again when this storm passes.”