The Spanish national men’s team will play the EURO qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus on Friday and Tuesday. Sporting issues initially remained in the background. Even before the first training, the players took the opportunity to comment on the kissing scandal and the behavior of their association president Luis Rubiales.
The team’s captains Álvaro Morata, César Azpilicueta, Rodrigo Hernández and Marco Asensio addressed the media in the press conference room in Las Rozas near Madrid on Monday – condemning Rubiales’ behaviour.
In a statement read by Morata, they wanted to comment on issues “which would have damaged the image of Spanish football”. “We want to reject Mr. Rubiales’ behavior, which we believe was unacceptable and does not do justice to the institution he represents,” said Morata.
Rubiales, 46, kissed player Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth after the Spaniards’ World Cup victory during the award ceremony in Sydney. Despite massive criticism and calls for his resignation, he has so far refused to step down from his position. However, Rubiales was suspended by FIFA for 90 days.
He himself had answered an extraordinary general meeting of the association and spoke of a ‘false feminism’ that wanted to haunt him. Rubiales also said that the kiss was consensual. Hermoso disagreed.
Spain’s men’s team once again congratulated the women on winning the World Cup, calling it a milestone and an invaluable win. They also expressed their solidarity after the women’s success was marred by the incident. They called for: “Spanish football must be an engine of respect, inspiration, inclusion and diversity and set an example with its behavior on and off the pitch.”
All players were present when the statement was made.
Used sources:
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
