In a significant turn of events, most members of the Spain women’s national football team have decided to end their boycott, marking an end to a protest that began after a controversial incident during the Women’s World Cup final last month. The decision was announced by Victor Francos, the Spanish secretary of state for sports, following marathon meetings that lasted over seven hours.
This resolution comes after the Spanish football federation (RFEF) pledged to enact “immediate and profound changes” within the organisation. The boycott began when former RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent in the aftermath of Spain’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final.
The controversy led to Rubiales’ resignation and the subsequent dismissal of Spain’s national team manager, Jorge Vilda. The incident sent shockwaves through the footballing world, sparking debates on issues of consent and respect within the sport.
Out of the 23 players originally called up for this month’s Nations League games, only two have chosen to withdraw from the squad, signalling a unified stance among the majority of the team. Spain is scheduled to face Sweden on Friday and Switzerland next Tuesday in the Nations League.
While the specifics of the “immediate and profound changes” within the RFEF are yet to be disclosed, this development is seen as a positive step towards addressing issues of gender equality and respect within Spanish football. It remains to be seen how this new chapter will impact the women’s national team’s future and the broader footballing landscape in Spain.
In other football news, Newcastle United made their long-awaited return to Europe’s elite club competition, the UEFA Champions League, facing off against AC Milan in Group F. The Premier League club, back in the competition after finishing fourth last season, managed to secure a valuable point against Milan despite the Italian giants dominating the first half of the match.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed concern over the mounting injury list within his squad. The club’s perfect start to the season has been marred by several key players, including Bernardo Silva, being sidelined due to injuries. Guardiola acknowledged the challenge but maintained his team’s determination to overcome adversity as they continue their campaign in various competitions.
