• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Spain Women’s Soccer Players Agree to End National Team Boycott

  • The boycott began when former federation president Luis Rubiales nonconsensually kissed player Jenni Hermoso.
  • After long negotiations, the Royal Spanish Football Federation will create a committee made up of players, the federation, and the government.
Spain women's national soccer team players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Keith McInnes/Sipa USA via USA TODAY Sports

Early Wednesday, 21 of the 23 Spain women’s national soccer team players agreed to end their boycott after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said it would make “immediate and profound” changes to its structure. Players, RFEF officials, the country’s National Sports Council, and the women’s players’ union FUTPRO negotiated for seven hours overnight.

“An agreement has been reached to make changes to the structure of women’s soccer, so that the executive and administrative staff will match that of the men’s team, to further professionalize the team and staff,” said FUTPRO president Amanda Gutiérrez.

Those changes include the creation of a committee made up of players, the federation, and the government, as well as the removal of the phrase “de fútbol femenino” (“women’s soccer”) from the team’s official name. Both the Spanish men’s and women’s national teams will be called “Selección Española de Fútbol” (“Spain’s national soccer team”).

The two players who did not agree to end their boycott — Patri Guijarro and Mapi León — have not played for Spain since before the World Cup due to issues that preceded the current controversy. The pair were given assurances that they would not be sanctioned under Spanish law for failing to report to national team training.

“The situation for Patri and me is different from our teammates,” León said. “We were not ready to just say, ‘OK, we are back.’ This is a process. It is true that we are happy that changes are being made.”

The larger boycott began when former federation president Luis Rubiales nonconsensually kissed player Jenni Hermoso during the celebration of Spain’s World Cup victory. Rubiales has since resigned and manager Jorge Vilda was replaced by former assistant Montse Tomé.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Clint Dempsey on New Job, USA’s ‘Once in a Lifetime’ World Cup

Dempsey said the World Cup is an enormous opportunity for the U.S.
Aliyah Boston

Aliyah Boston Is Latest WNBA Player to Invest in NWSL Team

Boston joins a select group that includes Sabrina Ionescu.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’