It’s over. It was written by Alexia Putellas, the double Ballon d’Or winner, the most global soccer player in Spain and Barcelona. “It’s over”, she became a rallying cry, the motto of a cause, a link, a thread that sews a crack and a protective cloak for her partner and friend. But above all it means an end point. One up here. A we will not go through hoops again. The protest was unanimous from the soccer players. All without exception defended and supported Hermoso and condemned the “behaviors that have violated the dignity of women.”
“This is unacceptable. It’s over,” Putellas said. It was four minutes past two-thirty when she made the post. And the message spread like wildfire. It was on the lips of those who asked not to be summoned by Vilda and missed the World Cup for being faithful to her convictions. But it was also pronounced by the brand new world champions, those who won the star, without fear of being stigmatized for taking the step.
They are so angry and indignant with the federation officials that the internationals issued a joint statement, released by the Futpro union, in which they announced that they will not return to a call for the selection “if the current leaders continue.” The next game for the women’s team is on September 22, in Sweden.
Among the 77 signatories are the 23 world champions, but also Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, Sandra Paños, some historic ones such as Silvia Meseguer, Ainhoa ??Tirapu or Willy Romero and the former U-17 coach Toña Is.
The champions “wait for strong responses from the public powers so that unacceptable actions do not go unpunished” such as those that have tarnished the greatest sporting success of Spanish women’s football. They also ask for “real changes, both sporting and structural” to continue growing and “transfer this great success to later generations”, the players conclude.
“Everyone saw what happened. The victim is you ”, insisted Irene Paredes, Barcelona defender, after listening to Rubiales and seeing that they wanted to involve and put her partner in the center of the target. That speech enervated more than one footballer. “There are limits that cannot be crossed and we cannot tolerate this”, exclaimed Aitana Bonmatí, always clear.
“Enough of the lies, you are not alone,” proclaimed Misa Rodríguez, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, who complained making vomiting faces to the applause in the assembly. “For not commenting on all those people who applauded.”
The Barcelona players Mapi León and Patri Guijarro kept a low profile during the World Cup, which they watched from home. “It did not take a long time to see that what was demanded a few months ago was not a simple tantrum,” said the defense. “Unfortunate to reach this point to believe that the complaints of months ago were real,” lamented the midfielder. They have all come together to say enough is enough.
