September 21 – Spain’s FA (RFEF) has dismissed yet another key figure and admits it “deeply regrets” its role in the “institutional crisis” in the wake of the country’s Women’s World Cup victory that was overshadowed by the ‘kissgate’ scandal.
General secretary Andreu Camps has now followed disgraced RFEF president Luis Rubiales out the door with the organisation apologising for the whole debacle promising it had “accelerated” the “profound changes” demanded by players who ended their strike earlier this week after an agreement was reached for structural reform.
The federation also apologised for putting players through “unwanted circumstances” and specifically to Jenni Hermoso for being “immersed in a situation that she did not create” after she was kissed on the lips by Rubiales.
Camps’ sacking came after 39 players signed a statement last week demanding further changes besides Rubiales’ resignation and former head coach Jorge Vilda’s dismissal. Multiple Spanish outlets are reporting three other RFEF staff could suffer the same fate.
“The RFEF is aware of the absolute need to start a new stage and close the institutional crisis that opened after the national team’s victory in the World Cup,” an RFEF statement said. “The federation wants to show its support to all the internationals who are going through these unwanted circumstances and reiterates its apologies for what happened after the World Cup victory.”
“We understand that the players need to feel that the federation is their home, a safe environment where they can show their professionalism and sporting quality while displaying the privilege of representing Spain”.
“The steps taken so far by the current leadership of the RFEF have always sought this objective. However, we recognise that until yesterday we have not managed to create a climate of trust with the internationals.”
“During the last few days we have reiterated our public commitment to make structural changes to begin this new, absolutely necessary stage that respects criteria of good governance, transparency and equality. We have accelerated the changes planned by the federation. Spanish football deserves absolute recognition, and all of us who are part of it must unite to achieve it.”
Another measure of the deal was to remove the adjective female from the women’s national team’s official brand to match with the men’s squad. From now on, both will be known as the Spanish national football team.
“Beyond it being a symbolic step, we want it to be a change of concept, and the recognition that football is football, no matter who plays it,” RFEF interim President Pedro Rocha said.
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