Iberdrola, the main sponsor of the Spanish women’s soccer team -which these days is immersed in the controversy over the Rubiales case-, considers that any attitude that “deviates or goes against” the defense of equal rights and the women’s dignity “has no place in the world of sport or in society”.
Company sources have explained this Friday to the EFE agency that their intention is to continue “betting on the defense of equal rights and dignity of women” and in this sense they have assured that “any attitude that deviates or goes against these values ??has no place in the world of sport or in today’s society”.
As a sponsor of the women’s team, the company observes “with great concern the situation that these days is tarnishing the victory of the team and that, in addition, is diverting the focus away from the field of play,” they add.
“Our desire is none other than to continue at the side of women athletes to break down obstacles with them, to facilitate their goals and achieve great objectives,” they said.
These statements take place less than a week after the controversial kiss that the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, gave the player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth in the middle of the ceremony after winning the final of the Women’s World Cup.
In the opinion of the aforementioned Iberdrola sources, Spain’s success in the Women’s Soccer World Championship has shown that sport is “a magnificent tool for advancing equality, respect and dignity for women”.
Regarding the players that make up the team, the aforementioned sources describe them as “social references that remind our girls who play sports that the limits of their dreams will only depend on their own abilities and effort.”
Iberdrola has been sponsoring Spanish women’s sport for seven years. It currently does so with 32 national sports federations, which reaches more than 600,000 women, that is, two out of every three federated women.
“We are proud to promote with this the values ??that all these disciplines share, such as effort, tenacity, inclusion, respect, or teamwork,” defend the aforementioned sources.
Previously, the airline Iberia, of the IAG Group, had become this Friday the first sponsor of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to rule on the behavior of the president of the football entity, Luis Rubiales.
In a brief note, Iberia indicates that it supports “the opportune and pertinent measures that must be taken” in order to “preserve the rights and dignity of athletes” in the event that “offensive situations, inappropriate for a society” occur. developed, modern and egalitarian like the Spanish one”. At the start, the note also underlines that “it has always supported and will continue to support talent, sport and Spanish football” and recalls its status as a sponsor of the RFEF.
Iberia’s example has already been followed by other major sponsors of Spanish sport. Renfe has left this Friday in support of the CSD’s decision to act against Rubiales. “This is the time for the CSD and its performance, which we strongly support,” the company said.
The president of the RFEF appeared this Friday before the extraordinary assembly of the organization to make it clear that he does not intend to resign despite the scandal caused by his kiss to the soccer player Jennifer Hermoso during the celebration of the Spanish team in Sydney after winning the final of the Women’s Soccer World Cup.
The president of the RFEF has assured that the kiss was “consented” by Hermoso and, after the many criticisms during this week, he has declared himself the victim of a “witch hunt” of “false feminism”. In response, the players of the Spanish team – and other soccer players – have come out en bloc defending the position of their partner, who already indicated on Thursday that she would take the necessary measures against Rubiales. Today, the Secretary of State for Sport has announced that he is going to initiate the procedures to proceed with the suspension of his duties as the president of the RFEF.
