BARCELONA: Following a strike by the Spanish women’s football national team, the majority of players have agreed to remain with the squad after hours of overnight negotiations. This decision comes after players demanded for further changes at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the wake of former president Luis Rubiales’s resignation.
Victor Francos, the secretary of state for sports, confirmed that a series of agreements would be signed between the RFEF and the Spanish government, resolving the ongoing dispute. However, two of the 23 players initially called up have opted to leave the squad.
Departing players Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro were part of the group of 15 players who previously went on strike ahead of the World Cup, citing concerns about then-national coach Jorge Vilda and other issues with the federation. Neither player participated in the World Cup, and they announced their decision to withdraw from the team camp, stating they were “not in the right state” to play in upcoming matches.
The remaining players, under the guidance of new coach Montse Tome, resumed training on Wednesday. Nineteen of the 23 players had participated in the strike, raising concerns that they might refuse to play in upcoming Nations League games, which could impact the team’s chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Spanish Women’s Football Team Training
In the hours leading up to the agreement, players selected by Tome gathered for a training camp despite having previously declared themselves unavailable. Some expressed concerns about potential sanctions if they refused to play, including fines and potential suspension of their licenses to play, including at the club level. Francos clarified on Wednesday that those who decided not to play would not face sanctions, addressing these concerns.
Meanwhile, the Spanish football federation announced a change in branding, with both the men’s and women’s teams now being referred to as the “Spanish national football team.” Previously, the men’s team was known as the “Spanish national football team,” while the women’s team was designated the “Spanish women’s national football team.”
This development follows the resignation of former RFEF president Rubiales, who had faced controversy after forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the team’s World Cup victory celebrations. Spain is set to face Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on September 26 in the upcoming Nations League matches.
