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The two conflicting parties reached an agreement on Wednesday night. There are “profound changes”.
The mudslinging between Spain’s footballers and the association (RFEF) appears to be over. After concessions from the Spanish association and promises of sweeping structural changes, the women’s national team has ended its strike.
“It is the beginning of a long road that lies ahead of us,” said the president of the players’ union Amanda Gutierrez on Wednesday morning.
“Immediate and profound changes”
After a seven-hour meeting in a hotel near Valencia, players, RFEF officials, the National Sports Council (CSD) and the players’ union Futpro agreed that “immediate and far-reaching changes” would be developed in the association. They want to implement this from Thursday.
Of the 23 professionals nominated for the Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland, 21 were convinced to play. Only the Barcelona duo Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, who had already forgone the World Cup, decided against a squad after the negotiations and left the training camp again. The two players would not be punished, said CSD President Victor Francos.
Rubiales kiss from trigger
The newly crowned world champions boycotted the national team after association boss Luis Rubiales kissed striker Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the victory celebration. She contradicted his claim that the kiss was consensual. It sparked a national debate about the macho culture in sports and ultimately led to Rubiales’ resignation.
Despite the strike, the new national coach Montse Tomé had put together a squad for the upcoming games. The players were threatened with fines of up to 30,000 euros and the revocation of their association license if they did not compete.