Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning squad will not return to the national team for September’s Nations League fixtures despite Luis Rubiales’ resignation and the sacking of Jorge Vilda.
A letter signed by 81 Spain players, including the entire World Cup-winning squad, was released by players’ union FutPro last month, stating they would reject call-ups to the national team until the leadership of the Spanish football association (RFEF) changed and describing the actions of president Rubiales as “violating the dignity of women”.
Vilda was sacked 16 days after the World Cup final before Rubiales resigned from his own post earlier this week.
A statement is expected from the Spain squad later today explaining their decision to continue to reject call ups.
Spain are set to play Sweden in the Nations League on September 22 and Switzerland on September 26.
Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup final victory over England. Hermoso says the kiss was not consensual, which Rubiales denies.
Rubiales also grabbed his crotch in the stands after Spain’s win, which he later apologised for at the RFEF assembly.
Having insisted he would not leave his role despite facing heavy pressure to do so, Rubiales resigned in September, having already been suspended by FIFA.
Vilda’s former assistant manager Montse Tome has been named as his permanent successor and is set to lead the side during September’s Nations League fixtures.
(Photo: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
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