September 25 – Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s team have finally got back to playing but the kissgate scandal remains very much in the foreground.
Spain’s world champions and their Swedish opponents held up a banner on Friday with the slogan ‘It’s over’ in protest over the debacle that engulfed the Spanish football federation. Spain won the Nations League clash in Gothenburg 3-2 when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty six minutes into added time.
The pre-match protest came as the Spain team returned to action for the first time since lifting the World Cup when former federation chief Luis Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips , prompting global headlines and the subsequent resignation of Rubiales.
The 22 players held up the banner bearing the Spanish phrase “Se Acabo” (“It’s over”) adding that the struggle of the players against chauvinism and sexual assault was “the global fight” for equality between men and women.
Just before kick-off in Friday’s Nations League game, the Spanish women also raised their fists to reveal wristbands which carried words of protest and support.
Most carried the same “Se Acabo” message, while others simply wrote “Jenni” or the number 10 of Hermoso’s shirt. Hermoso was not called up for the game by new coach Montse Tome.
The fallout from the scandal continued right up to the eve of the match when a deal was reached between the players, federation and Spanish government mediators. Spain’s players believe the agreement will lead to real reform inside the beleaguered federation and mark a turning point in the fight for equality.
“We have players with incredible talent. They love what they do. What they know how to do is play soccer, and we have to make them feel they can really concentrate on the game,” said Tome.
While the global fight for equality will continue to generate protests within federations across the world, the Spanish federation(RFEF) has moved again on its route to reform, removing the head of the integrity department, Miguel García Caba, a Rubiales appointee. His sacking follows on from the dismissal last week of RFEF general secretary Andreu Camps.
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