Spain women’s team able to focus on football now – Aitana Bonmati

“Spain Women’s Team Shifts Focus to Football Post-Controversy,” Says Aitana Bonmati

Aitana Bonmati, named player of the World Cup after Spain’s triumphant victory, has revealed that Spain’s women’s football team can finally shift their attention back to the game they love after enduring weeks of controversy following their World Cup win. The saga began when former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s dramatic victory over England on 20th August. What followed was a cascade of events that rocked the team and its management.

This ill-advised kiss led to an immediate uproar within the team, with players opting to boycott matches in protest. As a consequence of this turmoil, manager Jorge Vilda was sacked, and Luis Rubiales, the source of the controversy, eventually resigned from his post. It was a tumultuous period for Spanish women’s football, one that left fans and pundits alike wondering when, or even if, the team would be able to return to the pitch.

However, the dark cloud that loomed over the team began to dissipate last Wednesday when the players decided to end their boycott. Their decision came after more than seven hours of intense negotiations and a commitment from the football federation to implement “immediate and profound changes.” With the dispute resolved, the team wasted no time in getting back to the sport they are passionate about, and they proved their mettle with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sweden.

This Women’s Nations League game marked a fresh start for the team, as they played under the guidance of their new head coach, Montse Tome. Aitana Bonmati, who had been at the forefront of the dispute, reflected on the challenging period the team endured: “The first few days were complicated, with stress and anxiety, but as the days have gone by, things have changed. We have now been able to focus on football, which is what we want.”

Moreover, Bonmati highlighted the broader significance of their struggle for gender equality: “We are setting an example on sporting and social levels that men and women should be treated equally. [Gender equality] is a global struggle, and all the players feel it is a little bit our own. We are here to play football, but we have a loudspeaker and a responsibility to leave football and women in a better place than we found it.”

As the team prepares to face Switzerland in Cordoba, the message from the players is clear: they are eager to return to normalcy while recognizing that there is much work to be done. Their commitment to improving conditions within women’s football and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations is unwavering. The controversy that shook Spanish football was a seminal point, a catalyst for change, and a powerful reminder that progress and equality should be the cornerstones of the beautiful game.

The kiss that initiated this upheaval during the trophy presentation ceremony in Sydney continues to cast a shadow. Jenni Hermoso, the recipient of the kiss, maintained that it was not consensual and filed a legal complaint. In response, Luis Rubiales, while denying allegations of sexual assault, has been banned from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters, underscoring the gravity of the situation that unfolded.

In the midst of it all, one thing is certain: Spain’s women’s football team is back on the pitch, focused on the sport they love, and poised to make a significant impact both on and off the field as they champion the cause of gender equality in sports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Women’s Football Controversy

More about Women’s Football Controversy

• Spain Women’s Football Team Returns After Controversy
• Luis Rubiales Controversy
• Aitana Bonmati
• Jenni Hermoso Legal Complaint
• Gender Equality in Sports
• Montse Tome, New Head Coach