Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning team BOYCOTT Nations League in wake of Luis Rubiales scandal
SPAIN confirmed it will boycott its upcoming Nations League matches.
The women’s world champions were scheduled to play their first games since winning the trophy on August 20.
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La Roja were scheduled to play away against Sweden on September 22nd and at home against Switzerland four days later.
However, following the backlash to the scandal involving former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips, and ex-head coach Jorge Vilda confirmed they still refuse to play.
Montserrat Tome – who played for Barcelona and Spain – was one of Vilda’s assistant coaches and has now taken over as the first female head coach of the Spanish women’s national team.
But just hours before they were due to name their first squad, the team released their statement after a three-hour meeting in which the stars unanimously decided they were not ready to take the pitch again as representatives of their country.
Of the original 80 strikers, 39 – all 23 world champions and 16 others – remain unavailable for selection, but 41 changed their stance.
And Dario AS report that those who refuse to accept a call-up will face shocking fines of up to £25,000 and even have their playing license revoked under Spain’s national sporting laws.
The boycott comes despite Rubiales’ eventual resignation in his interview with Piers Morgan this week and Vilda’s dismissal.
The disgraced couple had already been accused of misogyny even before Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Hermoso after the final win against England in Sydney.
Vilda, who angered the women’s team during his eight years as coach, was largely excluded from the celebrations and removed from his post as pressure mounted on the Spanish football federation.
The shameless Rubiales tried to fight on, boldly declaring “I’m not giving up” before giving in and announcing that his resignation had already been suspended by FIFA.
He faces a Madrid court today while Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint over the non-consensual kiss – and a judge will decide whether the case goes to trial.
Rubiales disputes Hermoso’s claim that there was no consent, saying there was “no sexual content, no aggression” and that it was a “very common kiss between friends.”
He refused to apologize to the World Cup star.
And in the first court hearing it was determined that Rubiales is not allowed within 500 meters of Hermoso and is prohibited from communicating with her in any way.
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