Victor Francos, the Spanish Secretary of State for Sports, believes their men’s national team could have done more to support the women’s side following former federation president Luis Rubiales’ kiss on Jenni Hermoso.
In September, Spain men’s captain Alvaro Morata read a statement on behalf of the entire squad. It said that Rubiales’ behaviour in Sydney after the women’s World Cup final had been “unacceptable” and that the players were “firmly and clearly on the side of the values that Spanish football represents — respect, inspiration, equality and diversity”.
Borja Iglesias withdrew himself from selection for the national team in the aftermath of the Rubiales incident and his subsequent speech back in Spain. The Real Betis striker made himself available again once Rubiales had resigned.
“I would have liked more forcefulness in their assessment of the events,” Francos told The Athletic.
“And it seemed to me that the joint statement had to reflect the lowest common denominator of the players as a whole. I would have liked it to have been a bit louder.
“I think I speak for a lot of people — in the world of sport and women’s sport, we have a long way to go.
“It is true that there was a lack of forcefulness, not only in the condemnation but also…
