On one of the darkest days in Spanish sports history, if not the darkest, world champions and generations of female footballers from around the globe joined forces to raise their voices and declare that enough had been endured. The message was unmistakable: this would not be tolerated any longer. When they united, their resolve grew into an unstoppable force that could not be ignored.
The outcome that should have unfolded a year earlier became clear. Those who were unprotected or poorly advised chose silence, allowing issues to remain unspoken. While blame is not the aim, the moment for candor had arrived. Coming off a World Cup victory, the sport wrestled with an embarrassing episode that dulled the nation’s fever and threatened to derail a broader movement. Many recognized that the demands extended beyond childish whims or temperamental outbursts, a view echoed by Mapi León. The core problems lay with the entire structure surrounding women’s football within the federation. Rubiales offered only a few promises and met only the bare minimum, leaving deeper commitments questionably addressed and unresolved.
Rubiales did not present a sincere apology. Perhaps such a gesture existed, but only for those who felt discomfort when the royal family and the president sat beside Queen Letizia and Infanta Sofía at a Sydney stadium event. The kiss involving Jenni Hermoso became a flashpoint, with her account suggesting fault was placed on the victim and a portrayal that minimized her experience. She spoke of real feminism that was being twisted into something hollow and of a campaign shaped by media narratives while urging her grieving daughters to show empathy for others and to steer clear of a victim mindset.
The historic embarrassment did not hinge on a single speech alone. It extended to everyone present and to those watching from afar who either applauded or remained silent. The accountability of leadership intersected with the actions of regional federations, and several assembly members. For those who chose silence, a charge of complicity weighed heavily on the room and on the sport itself.
In moments like this, the absence of players who previously spoke out on behalf of a colleague stands out. Names of well-known football figures such as Borja Iglesias, Héctor Bellerín, Aitor Ruibal, Sergi Roberto, David de Gea, and Isco Alarcón were recalled as reminders of how football has long served as a platform for social issues. The renowned writer and journalist John Carlin has noted that football can move the world in ways few other forces can. When wielded with accountability and responsibility, the game can drive progress for society as a whole.