Spain players agree to end boycott before Nations League games
Most of Spain’s women’s football team have agreed to end their current boycott, according to the Spanish Secretary of State for Sports Victor Francos.
The agreement was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday, following more than seven hours of meetings.
The players began their boycott of the national squad after Spain beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final, and Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales kissed Spanish player Jenni Hermoso without consent. After weeks of chaos, Rubiales resigned and controversial Spanish manager Jorge Vilda was sacked.
The Spanish players have been calling for change since the World Cup final incident.
Two of the 23 players called up for this month’s Nations League games have chosen to pull out the squad.
Francos said the Spanish football federation (RFEF) had committed to “immediate and profound changes”.
Spain are due to play Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on Tuesday in the Nations League.
Francos, the head of the Spanish government’s national sports agency (CSD), said: “It is good news to be able to say that the team will play the next two games with guarantees.”
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He said a decision was reached following “friendly” talks in Valencia involving the players, RFEF officials, CSD and women’s players’ union Futpro.
“A joint commission will be created between RFEF, CSD and players to follow up on the agreements, which will be signed tomorrow,” Francos said.
“The players have expressed their concern about the need for profound changes in the RFEF, which has committed to making these changes immediately.”
