Spain's opponents threatened to cancel the match if Rubiales did not resign
Spain will play the opening match of the Women's Nations League at Sweden's Gamla Ullevi Stadium on September 22, then return to its home stadium Nuevo Arcangel to take on Switzerland on September 26.
But Spain's plans were almost changed because the Swedish Football Federation considered canceling this match if Rubiales did not resign and leave the RFEF, even though he was suspended by FIFA from all football-related activities at the national level. national and international within 90 days. The Swedish Football Federation wants to show solidarity with Spanish female players and support the wave of calls for Rubiales to resign.
On Instagram, the account of the Swedish men's football team also showed support with the message "does not tolerate any form of harassment, attack or discrimination in football". Meanwhile, Swedish men's team coach Jan Andersson said at the press conference: "The Spanish women's team performed at the World Cup. It was the medal ceremony, perhaps the most wonderful moment of their lives. And for someone to behave like that is completely unfortunate."
Nooshi Dadgostar, Swedish parliamentarian and leader of the Left Party, emphasized that the country's national team should boycott the match against Spain if Rubiales does not resign or RFEF avoids the players' demands. Dadgostar wants sexist culture to disappear from football. "Rubiales represents a culture that discourages female players from playing football, represents a sexist environment that diminishes the interests of women and creates discomfort," she said.
The scandal stemmed from Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips during the Women's World Cup championship award ceremony in Sydney on August 20. Despite receiving criticism, the RFEF president affirmed that kissing Hermoso was a "spontaneous and consensual act of excitement". During an extraordinary press conference at RFEF headquarters on August 25, he even said "will not resign" five times and claimed that he was the victim of a "witch hunt by fake feminists". .
After Rubiales' decision, dozens of Spanish female players affirmed that they would not join forces if called up. But according to Mundo Deportivo, they are forced to join the team if they are on the list if they do not want to be fined and lose their license to play in Spain.
According to current FIFA regulations, each federation that wants to call up a player must notify in writing at least 15 days before the first day of the international period. RFEF has not yet announced the call-up list for the match against Sweden on September 22, so the host clubs can refuse to release their troops.
But the players are still forced to join forces if summoned by new coach Montse Tome. Ms. Tome was newly appointed to lead the world champion team, replacing her predecessor Jorge Vilda who was dismissed on September 5, for applauding Rubiales's speech of not resigning. According to the Disciplinary Code of the Spanish legal system, players, without a legitimate reason, refuse the team's summons, including training, joining forces, competing in matches and tournaments, will be fined from 3,220 to 32,195 USD, in addition to other severe sanctions.
According to Mundo Deportivo, one of the severe penalties is that the players can lose their license to play in Spain. Only players playing for foreign clubs are not affected by this penalty.
