The world of women’s football is set to witness a significant development as Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning squad has decided to bring an end to their boycott of the national team. This decision comes after the country’s football federation (RFEF) made a commitment to implement “immediate and profound changes” to its organizational structure.
The breakthrough came after more than seven hours of deliberations at a hotel in Oliva, situated an hour away from Valencia. These discussions involved the women players, officials from the RFEF, representatives from the National Sports Council (CSD), and members of the women’s players’ union FUTPRO.
The boycott, which had escalated the crisis, originated when former RFEF boss Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup presentation ceremony. In response, the players declared that they would not represent Spain until significant changes occurred within the federation.
According to CSD President Victor Francos, “A joint commission will be created between RFEF, CSD, and players to follow up on the agreements, which will be signed tomorrow.” However, neither Francos nor Rafael del Amo, president of the RFEF committee for women’s football, provided specific details about the nature of the forthcoming changes, stating only that they would be revealed “soon.”
Amanda Gutierrez, President of FUTPRO, expressed that the players view this as a “rapprochement of positions” and the start of a long journey. She added, “Once again, they have shown themselves to be coherent, and the vast majority have decided to stay for the sake of this agreement.”
The players had earlier voiced their concerns and stated that they would make the “best decision” for their future and health, taking into account the legal implications of being included in a squad list they had requested to be excluded from. They contended that the federation could not require their presence since they alleged that the call-up did not adhere to FIFA’s parameters regarding timing and procedure.
The potential consequences of boycotting the national team included sanctions such as fines of up to 30,000 euros ($32,000) and suspension of their federation license for two to 15 years, as per Spain’s Sports Act.
New coach Montse Tome had initially called up twenty players who were part of the boycott, and despite all of them reporting for training on Tuesday, two players decided to leave the squad for “personal reasons.” It was agreed that neither player would face sanctions, and their identities would remain confidential.
CSD President Francos emphasized that players who did not feel comfortable or strong enough to continue their participation would not face punitive measures. This inclusive approach aims to foster a more supportive environment within women’s football in Spain.
The boycott by the players was initially sparked by the controversial incident in which former RFEF chief Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup victory. Hermoso challenged Rubiales’s claim that the kiss was consensual, sparking a national conversation about gender dynamics in sports and ultimately leading to Rubiales’s resignation.
The resolution of this dispute marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Spain’s women footballers and the RFEF, with hopes that it will lead to a more inclusive and respectful environment for women in the sport.