World Cup Legends Take a Stand: Spain's Winning Players Boycott Matches After Controversial Unwanted Kiss

The majority of Spain's World Cup-winning squad has announced their intention to decline invitations to participate in the upcoming Women's Nations League matches as they persist in their efforts to bring about substantive reforms in Spanish soccer. This comes as a response to the controversial incident involving former soccer boss Luis Rubiales and the unwanted kiss on La Roja star Jennifer Hermoso, which has cast a shadow over the team's significant triumph.

Spain has postponed announcing its squad for the next two matches after 39 players, including 21 members of the 23-woman World Cup squad, signed a joint letter condemning RFEF. The letter, posted by Alexia Putellas on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the changes made so far are insufficient for the players to feel safe, respected, and fully supported in women's football.

"We take immense pride in donning the national team jersey and consistently leading our country to great heights. It is imperative to emphasize that the players of the Spanish women's national team are devoted professionals."

Former president of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, was seen leaving the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid on September 15, 2023. Just five days after resigning from his position as Spain's football chief, Rubiales faced sexual assault charges for allegedly forcibly kissing women's World Cup player Jenni Hermoso. The 46-year-old was summoned to Madrid's Audiencia Nacional court, where he appeared before Judge Francisco de Jorge, who is leading the investigation. (Photo credit: Thomas Coex / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

Jennifer Hermoso's lawyer is reaffirming that the kiss by Luis Rubiales was without her consent, following the former soccer boss being issued a restraining order. The lawyer insists that now is the time to take action against such incidents and advocate for a football and society that reject these harmful practices. It is crucial to transform the current structure and strive towards a more equitable future for the next generations, deserving a football of a higher standard.

The players laid out various changes they desired to be implemented in the Spanish federation. This encompassed reforms in the women's football organization, the presidency and secretary general positions, the communications and marketing departments, and the integrity department. The letter emphasized the need for absolute transparency and to prevent such attitudes from recurring in the future.

World players union FIFPRO expressed their support for the players' decision, stating, "FIFPRO stands in full solidarity with the Spain Women's National Team as they demand change. #SeAcabó (It's over)."

Pau Gasol, a Spanish basketball legend and two-time NBA champion, also joined the players in their cause, declaring, "You have my complete support."

More change needed

Following the latest updates, a significant number of Spanish soccer players, comprising the entire 2023 World Cup squad of Spain, expressed their support for Hermoso by signing a letter on August 25. In the letter, they initially stated their intention to refrain from rejoining the national team as long as the current leaders remain in their positions. Their condition for reconsideration included the implementation of substantial structural modifications within the federation.

Consequently, interim RFEF president Pedro Rocha embarked on a series of actions as part of his efforts to "regenerate" the federation. Despite Spain's unprecedented World Cup victory, he made the decision to dismiss controversial coach Jorge Vilda and instead appointed Montse Tomé, his deputy and the first woman to assume the role. During a meeting with Víctor Francos, the president of the High Council of Sport, Rocha pledged to implement further "structural changes" within the RFEF.

The players' announcement is likely to present a challenge for Tomé as she strives to assemble a competitive team for the upcoming matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26.

Rubiales leaves the National Court in Madrid on Friday.

Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images

Rubiales appeared in Spain's National Court in Madrid on Friday morning, as he had been called by the presiding judge to assist in the court's investigation into possible charges of sexual assault and coercion against him.

How we got here

After facing mounting pressure from various sectors of Spanish society, Rubiales opted to step down from his role on Sunday. As a consequence, he has been issued with a restraining order, prohibiting him from coming within a distance of 200 meters from Hermoso.

The discontent among Spanish players can be traced back to September of last year. At that time, 15 members of the senior women's squad individually penned and sent letters via email to the RFEF, stating that they would cease playing for the national team unless significant changes were implemented within the coaching staff. These letters expressed concern over the "situation" within the Spanish national team, which the RFEF was already aware of, and how it was negatively impacting the emotional well-being and health of the players.

Out of the 15 players who signed the letters, Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí, and Ona Batlle were the only ones included in Spain's World Cup squad. Despite facing challenges off the field, a youthful Spanish team managed to achieve an extraordinary run in the World Cup, defying expectations and securing a remarkable championship in Australia and New Zealand.

Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the Spanish players produced an impressive performance Down Under.

Amanda Perobelli/Reuters

Despite achieving success on the field, there remained a tense atmosphere within the team, fueled by the ongoing animosity between certain star players, Vilda's coaching staff, and RFEF.

Videos of what appeared to be indifferent reactions from certain substituted Spanish players, as well as during the post-match celebrations, went viral on social media after the team's victories against the Netherlands and Sweden in the World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals. In one particular clip, it seemed that Vilda was attempting to join in the celebration with a few players after the win over the Netherlands, only to be seemingly disregarded.

Spanish football federation prioritizes stability

New challenges await RFEF as Vilda and Rubiales step down, revealing the need for further progress in women's soccer.

The players' request for change would entail the complete removal of Rocha, who was appointed after Rubiales left.

However, RFEF is supporting Rocha's continuation as the president of the organization, as the federation prioritizes stability before addressing the broader reforms that the women's national team players are advocating for.

The Spanish football body stated that it is crucial to stabilize themselves initially in order to make progress in the future. They emphasized the need to carry out transformations gradually to ensure the future of Spanish football and regain lost dignity and credibility after the World Cup incidents.