The players of the Spanish men’s soccer team condemned this Monday the “unacceptable behavior” of the president of the Spanish soccer federation, Luis Rubiales, who kissed a player from the women’s team.
“We want to reject what we consider unacceptable conduct on the part of Mr. Rubiales, who was not up to the task of the institution he represents,” said the players on Monday, in a statement read to the media by the captain of the Spanish team. selection, Álvaro Morata, in Madrid, on the first day of the team’s concentration in view of qualifying for Euro 2024.
The footballer, who plays for Atlético de Madrid, stated that the statement was “from all the players” of the team, who were present in the room where he read the text.
The players expressed “proud” and “the most sincere congratulations” to the women’s team for winning the title of world champion at the World Cup that took place in New Zealand and Australia last month.
“A historic achievement, full of meaning, that will mark a before and after in Spanish women’s football, inspiring many women with an incalculable victory,” Morata said when reading the statement.
The players of the national team regretted, in this context, the “facts that damaged the image of Spanish football”, in reference to Rubiales’ behavior in the Sydney stadium, on August 20, during and after the Women’s World Cup final.
Rubiales kissed the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth, which the footballer later said was not consented to, contrary to what the president of the federation has stated.
Earlier, on the stadium bench, Rubiales had touched his genitals to celebrate the Spanish victory.
The two conducts earned him complaints from the Spanish government before the Administrative Court of Sport, which decided to open a disciplinary process against Rubiales, and the suspension of FIFA as president of the Spanish federation, for 90 days.
“We are firmly and clearly on the side of the values that sport represents. Spanish football must be a motor of respect, inspiration, equality and diversity. It must set an example with its conduct, both on and off the field,” said Álvaro on Monday. Morata, on behalf of the players of the men’s team.
The players lamented and expressed their solidarity with the women’s team for having seen “their success tarnished.”
After the events in Sidney, there was numerous criticism of Rubiales, who said he would not leave the position, which caused a new peak of response and extreme positions, with the players of the national team announcing that they were not available to represent Spain again. while the current directors of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) remain in their positions.
Eleven members of the coach’s coaching staff, Jorge Vilda, submitted their resignation. For his part, the coach condemned the “inadequate behavior” of the president of the RFEF.
Source: TSF
