Women’s World Cup champs say they won’t play for Spain until soccer chief is removed

Spain’s national women’s soccer team refused to play until the head of Spain’s soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, and other leaders are removed from their positions.

Emerging controversy: Luis Rubiales claimed his controversial kiss with player Jennifer Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final was consensual, generating significant backlash.
* Rubiales said five times during his speech at an emergency meeting of the Royal Spanish Football Federation that he will not resign, receiving some applause from mostly male attendees.
* Hermoso contested Rubiales’ claim, stating in a union statement that she did not consent to the kiss.
* The coach of the women’s team, Jorge Vilda, and men’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente were amongst those seen clapping during Rubiales’ speech.

Collective player response: Spain’s World Cup squad and over 50 other players have announced they will not participate in national team games until the current leaders are replaced.
* The players issued a statement calling for both sporting and structural changes to allow the National Team to continue growing.
* They expressed sadness that such an event is overshadowing the success of women’s soccer in Spain.

Pressure mounts: Official responses to the incident includes starting proceedings to potentially disqualify Rubiales and initiating disciplinary actions.
* Spain’s government has begun proceedings to suspend Rubiales. If the country’s Sport Court determines he violated laws or regulations regarding sexist acts, Rubiales could be declared unfit for office at the federation.
* FIFA announced it will open its own disciplinary proceedings against Rubiales.

Snapshot on social: The hashtag “#SeAcabo”, meaning “It’s over”, has been trending in Spain on Twitter in response to the controversy.

View original article on NPR

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