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Spain’s women players call for more heads to roll after Rubiales exit – ARN News Centre
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DAVID GRAY/AFP
A group of 39 players from Spain said on Friday it wanted further changes at the Spanish football federation and that the resignation of chief Luis Rubiales and the replacement of the team’s manager was not enough.
In a statement, the women, including most of the 23 World Cup-winning squad, did not clarify whether they would continue to boycott national team matches, but said they had called on the RFEF to restructure Rubiales’ former cabinet, the Secretary General, the communications and marketing department and the so-called integrity unit.
An original group of 81 players called the boycott in the wake of the furore over Rubiales’ allegedly unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso in Sydney after Spain won the World Cup last month.
“The changes specified to the RFEF are based on zero tolerance for people who in their jobs inside the RFEF have incited, hidden or applauded attitudes that go against women’s dignity,” the group of 39 said in the statement.
“The changes produced until now are not enough for the players to feel in a safe place.”
An RFEF spokesperson said the federation was in talks with the players and had postponed a press conference in which recently-appointed coach Montse Tome was set to announce the squad for Spain’s match against Sweden on September 22 in the Nations League.
The competition will determine which countries from Europe qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
The rebels could face sanctions including fines and suspension of their licences that could prevent them from representing their clubs under a new sports law which classifies an “unjustified failure to attend a team meeting” as a “very serious infringement.”
Should the new law be applied, they could face fines of up to 30,000 euros ($31,965) and the suspension of their federation licence for 2-15 years.
Rubiales resigned as president of the RFEF and from his position as vice president of UEFA after weeks of resisting calls from players, politicians and women’s groups to step down.
He appeared in court on Friday to testify before a judge, who is investigating whether the kiss and subsequent alleged efforts to force Hermoso to say it was “a mutual gesture”, constitute sexual abuse and coercion.
Hermoso said in her complaint against Rubiales that he and his entourage had issued a statement without her approval quoting her as saying the kiss was a “mutual, totally spontaneous gesture”.
The women’s team has been at loggerheads with the RFEF over playing conditions for nearly a decade to combat sexism and achieve parity with their male counterparts.
Since 2015 the players have staged two dressing room rebellions, denouncing a culture of bullying and complaining that the previous two coaches were not sufficiently qualified to work at an international level.
A new board at the RFEF formed after Rubiales was suspended by football’s world governing body FIFA, last week sacked Jorge Vilda, who managed the team during the World Cup, and replaced him with his assistant Tome.
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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.
The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.
A grand sporting celebration
The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.
This year’s event promises high-stakes action:
- 100 horses from top international stables
- Nine races across the evening
- Total prize pool of $30.5 million
Spotlight on the main race
The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:
- “Hit Show” – last year’s winner
- “Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
- “Imperial Emperor”
- “Meidan” – Super Saturday winner
A memorable arrival experience
The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.
With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.
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Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp
