Spanish international strikers who were called up to the women’s team said in a statement late on Monday that they still wanted to be off the squad.
After the Spanish football federation (RFEF) underwent more changes, the majority of the 15 Women’s World Cup champions said they would not play for their nation. However, new coach Montse Tome called them up.
After enduring tremendous pressure and condemnation from all around the globe, Federation president Luis Rubiales resigned three weeks after kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s victory in Sydney on August 20.
Following the event, more than 80 players from Spain went on strike. 39 of them persisted in seeking further changes even after Rubiales resigned and controversial coach Jorge Vilda was fired.
Those who Tome summoned from the 39, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, all shared a statement on social media.
It is explicitly stated that our company will not be called upon for legitimate causes. The players representing Spain said in their statement that their claims are still entirely true.
According to Spanish media sources, players who disobey the call-up may lose their licenses to play for a number of years. The players said they would research the possible legal measures they would be subject to as a result of the RFEF choosing them.
In the statement, they also said that they felt the federation “would not be able to demand” that players be called up since they felt the team was not announced in accordance with FIFA criteria fast enough.
“We express our regret that our federation has placed us in a situation that we never desired to be in,” the players said.