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Spain's Women's World Cup winner will not play for the national team until Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales is removed from his position.
Just under a week after claiming World Cup glory down under at Stadium Australia by beating England 1-0, Spain's players have been through a tumultuous time off the pitch.
Following their win over England, Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales kissed Spain's Jennifer Hermoso on the lips, a move which left football fans and players across the globe incensed at his actions.
Earlier this week, it seemed as though Rubiales would be forced into resignation, with his actions at the Women's World Cup final having disgraced his position and the Spanish FA.
READ MORE: Spain men’s team face mutiny as star refuses to play after Luis Rubiales kissgate scandal
But, in a move of defiance on Friday afternoon, Rubiales confirmed he would not be resigning under any circumstance, standing up on stage at a press conference stating: "I will not resign, I will not resign, I will not resign." Rubiales also claimed to have been on the end of "social murder" following the incident that he caused.
However, following Rubiales' announcement he would not be stepping down, Spain's World Cup winners have now released a statement, confirming they will not play for the national team while the disgraced president remains in charge of the Spanish FA.
Should Luis Rubiales be forced out of his position? Let us know in the comments section below.
In their lengthy statement, Spain's Women's team refuted Rubiales assertion that his kissing of Hermoso was consensual, with every single member of the World Cup winning squad signing the letter directed at the Spanish FA. In total, 56 players signed it.
Part of the statement read: "After everything that happened during the delivery of medals of the Women's World Cup, we want to state that all the players who sign this letter will not return to a call for the National Team if the current leaders continue."
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And a host of Spanish footballer's, both male and female have offered up their vociferous support for Hermoso, whilst also taking the opportunity to criticise Rubiales.
Real Betis duo Borja Iglesias and Hector Bellerin have been outspoken in their support of the Spanish women's national team, with the former even stating he will snub any call-up to the men's team as a result of Rubiales' actions.
Ex-Man United keeper David De Gea and former World Cup winning captain Iker Casillas also took aim at Rubiales, with the former taking to Twitter to claim he had "secondhand embarrassment" from the FA president's weird speech.
Barcelona's Ballon d'Or winning star Alexia Putellas, who was also part of the Spain World Cup winning squad tweeted: ""This is unacceptable. It's over. With you partner @Jennihermoso."
While Rubiales looks to have dug his heels firmly into the ground following his Friday afternoon speech, the president of the Spanish sports council and minister for sport Victor Francos has claimed he will do everything he can to "suspend Mr. Rubiales from his duties."
- Women’s World Cup
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