Despite being called up to the latest squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures, Spain’s women’s national team players have reaffirmed their boycott of the national side. This boycott began following an incident involving then Spanish Football Association (RFEF) boss Luis Rubiales, who kissed forward Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup final last month.
Fifteen members of the victorious World Cup-winning squad, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, were included in the latest squad. However, Jenni Hermoso was notably left out.
The boycott, initially launched by a group of 81 players, was sparked by the incident with Rubiales and his subsequent resignation. On Friday, 39 players, including 21 of the 23 World Cup winners, issued a statement confirming that their strike would persist until further changes were implemented, and they felt they were in a “safe place.”
In the statement issued by Futpro, the players expressed their regret at being put in a position they never wanted to be in, reiterating that their boycott remained in force. They also hinted at exploring the potential legal ramifications of being called up against their wishes, stating, “We will study the possible legal consequences to which the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) exposes us by putting us on a list from which we had asked not to be called for reasons already explained publicly and in more detail to the RFEF. With this, we will make the best decision for our future and our health.”
The situation remains complex and delicate, with the Spanish women’s national team continuing to grapple with internal conflicts and ongoing disputes with the football federation.
In the world of men’s football, Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper reflected on his team’s performance in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in the Premier League. He emphasised the importance of managing the integration of new signings into the squad and noted the potential for variety in their gameplans. Cooper praised the options now available to his team, particularly new signing Callum Hudson-Odoi, who scored a remarkable equalizer on his debut.
Cooper acknowledged the challenge of finding the right balance when transitioning new players into the team, but he expressed excitement about the prospect of having multiple options throughout the squad. Nottingham Forest currently sits in eighth place in the Premier League, and Cooper is keen to continue developing the team’s style of play as they progress in the season.
