LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) Alexia Putellas, the Spanish World Cup champion and Ballon d’Or holder, has spoken out regarding the controversy surrounding the Luis Rubiales kiss incident following their Women’s World Cup victory.
The ongoing saga involving Luis Rubiales and Jennifer Hermoso has dominated Spanish headlines over the past two weeks.
Rubiales kissed Hermoso after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the World Cup final, sparking significant controversy.
Subsequently, a total of 81 players have announced their decision not to represent Spain again, and an investigation has been launched into Rubiales’ behavior.
Rubiales contends that the kiss was “consensual” and has reportedly shared a video of Hermoso laughing about the matter with FIFA.
READ ALSO: Spanish FA Threatens Legal Action Over Hermoso Comments
Nevertheless, the situation has heightened tensions regarding the treatment of female players and teams compared to their male counterparts.
Alexia Putellas, a prominent figure for La Roja and a star player at Barcelona, emphasizes the importance of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) taking proactive steps on behalf of the players.
The RFEF’s recent actions have faced criticism, including a request to withdraw from UEFA competitions due to governmental interference, which was rejected by the governing body.
Putellas highlighted: “Our aim is the same: to ensure respect for our profession, just as it has existed for so long in men’s football.
“We’re fighting for that. The first step is unity among the players, and I will always advocate that a player is primarily a player.”
“For our generation, we’ve taken on more than just playing to achieve progress. However, the legacy we aim to leave is one where these concerns no longer exist.
“It’s not our role to attend meetings for better facilities or infrastructure. We need leaders and institutions to champion those changes, enabling us to concentrate on playing football – what we love and believe people deserve.”
