All 23 world champions who play for Spain announced this Friday in a joint statement that they will leave the Spanish national team “if the current coaches continue their activities.” In addition to the team that won the World Cup, another 58 Spanish players signed a contract. The decision came after Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), assured that he would not resign following a controversy during the celebration of winning the competition, where, among other gestures, he kissed player Jenny Hermoso on the lips. “The kiss was spontaneous and consensual,” the RFEF leader said at a press conference on Friday.
“After everything that happened during the Women’s World Cup, we want to state that all the players who signed this document will not return to the national team if the current managers continue to work. The signing players are: Jennifer Hermoso; Alexia Putellas. ; Misa Rodriguez; Irene Paredes; She is Batlier; Marion Caldentey; Teresa Abellaira; Maria Perez; Kata Call; Aitana Bonmati; Laya Codina; Claudia Sornosa; Oyhane Hernandez; Rocio Galvez; Irene Guerrero; Alba Redondo; Athena del Castillo; Eva Navarro; Enith Salon; Ivana Andres; Salma Paralluelo; Esther Gonzalez; Olga Carmona; Patricia Guijarro; Lola Gallardo; Nerea Eisagirre; Ainoa Moras; Maria Leon “Mapi”; Sandra Panios; Claudia Pina; Amayur Sarriega; Leila Wahabi; Laya Aleikhandri; Lucia Garcia; Andrea Pereira; Vero Boquete; Ainoa Tirapu; Sandra Vilanova; Ana Romero “Willy”; Sylvia Meseger; Upland Calderon; Carmen Arce “Cubalita”; Priscila Borja; Natalia Pablos; Susana Guerrero; Larreitz Lucas; Isabelle Benito; Amanda Sampedro; Isabel Fuentes; Elizabeth Sanchez; Marie Paz Azagra; Vanessa Gimbert; Virginia Torrecilla; Leire Landa; Elizabeth Ibarra; y Marta Torrejon”, can be read in the statement.
“The players expect a tough reaction from the political authorities so that such actions do not go unpunished. We demand real structural changes that will help selection continue to grow. It is extremely sad that such an unacceptable gesture will tarnish the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football,” FutPro said in a statement.