Spain’s World Cup winners refuse to play until Rubiales leaves federation

The 2023 Women’s World Cup winners and other notable figures in Spanish football won’t represent their country again until disgraced federation president Luis Rubiales steps down.

Rubiales offered a spirited refusal to resign during Friday’s emergency meeting of Spain’s football federation. The 46-year-old faces widespread calls to leave his post after planting an unsolicited kiss on star player Jenni Hermoso when Spain players celebrated their World Cup final win over England on Aug. 20.

Hours after Rubiales’ vow to “fight” to remain in his position, footballers’ union FUTPRO released a statement featuring over 80 signatures from female players, including the full squad that competed at the World Cup. The statement asks for “real changes, both sporting and structural, that help the national team to continue growing in order to contin

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