Clear words against Rubiales
Spain’s footballers show solidarity with world champions
9/5/2023 7:53 am
In the conflict with association president Luis Rubiales, the Spanish national soccer players are clearly on the side of their colleagues. The captains read out a statement denouncing Rubiale’s behavior since the World Cup award ceremony.
Spain’s national soccer players have condemned the behavior of their association president Luis Rubiales. Even before training, the team’s captains, Álvaro Morata, Rodrigo Hernández and Marco Asensio, addressed the media in Las Rozas near Madrid. In a statement that Morata read, they wanted to comment on issues that would have damaged the image of Spanish football. “We want to reject the behavior of Mr Rubiales, which from our point of view was unacceptable and does not do justice to the institution he represents,” Morata said.
Spanish football “should be a source of respect, inspiration, inclusion and diversity and should lead by example in its behavior on and off the pitch,” Morata said. “We are firmly on the side of the values enshrined in sport. “
The 46-year-old Rubiales kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth after the Spaniards’ World Cup triumph at the award ceremony in Sydney. Despite massive criticism and calls for his resignation, he has so far refused to give up his post. However, Rubiales was suspended for 90 days by the World Football Association.
He himself had countered at an extraordinary general assembly of the association and spoke of a “false feminism” that wanted to hunt him down. Rubiales also said the kiss was consensual. Hermoso disagreed.
Spain’s men’s team once again congratulated the women on winning the World Cup, calling it a milestone and an invaluable triumph. The men’s team shows solidarity with the Spaniards: “We regret that their success has been marred.” All players were present when the statement was made.