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Spain Women's players agree to end national team boycott

Spain Women's players agree to end national team boycott
© Reuters
Spain Women players agree to end their national team boycott amid the Luis Rubiales scandal after being promised immediate change to the Spanish Football Federation.

Members of the Spain Women national team who announced their intention to boycott matches amid of the Luis Rubiales affair have agreed to end their strike.

La Roja's first-ever Women's World Cup win has been overshadowed by the furore sparked from Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony.

While Rubiales claimed that the kiss was mutual, Hermoso has insisted that she did not consent to the act, leading to worldwide condemnation of the former's actions.

At the time, Rubiales was the president of the Spanish Football Federation, and he repeatedly refused to resign from his post despite unrelenting pressure from sporting and non-sporting figures.

As a result, a total of 81 women's players - including all 23 members of Jorge Vilda's World Cup squad - stated that they would not take part in any national team matches until there had been significant reforms to the federation.

In the meantime, Rubiales was given a provisional suspension by FIFA, and eleven members of Vilda's coaching staff resigned from their roles before the controversial head coach was sacked himself.

Montse Tome was appointed Vilda's successor, but 39 Spain players said that they would continue to shun national team duty unless more changes were made to the federation.

Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates with President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales after the match on August 20, 2023© Reuters

Nevertheless, Tome called up 15 of Spain's World Cup winners for their upcoming Nations League fixtures with Switzerland and Sweden, although Hermoso was left out to "protect" the striker, according to the head coach.

Spain players cut expressionless figures as they arrived for camp earlier this week, with Barcelona's Mapi Leon stating that they were "forced" to turn up due to the threat of legal ramifications, which could have included hefty fines.

However, having held constructive talks with senior RFEF figures, as well as Spain's National Sports Council (CSD), the players will end their strike after being promised 'immediate' change.

Confirming the end of the boycott, CSD President Victor Francos told the press: "A joint commission will be created between RFEF, CSD and players to follow up on the agreements, which will be signed tomorrow.

"The players have expressed their concern about the need for profound changes in the RFEF, which has committed to making these changes immediately."

Following his reluctant resignation, Rubiales appeared in court to face accusations of sexual assault and coercion by Spanish prosecutors, which the former president denied, but he was given a restraining order forbidding him from going within 200m of Hermoso.

It remains to be seen whether Rubiales's case will go to trial, but should he be found guilty of sexual assault, he could face a maximum prison sentence of four years.

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Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales pictured in August 2023
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