The mutiny within the Spanish women’s football setup continues as 39 players sign a demand for structural changes
A notable split is emerging within Spain’s football community. A collective of 39 members of the national team, including several world champions, has formally declared that they will not participate with the national squad until meaningful reforms are implemented. It is worth noting that two world champions, Athenea and Claudia Zornoza, did not sign the declaration for reasons publicly explained by the players themselves.
The situation has become a defining moment for how women’s football is governed in Spain. The term mutiny is used by observers to describe what is happening: a coordinated, organized challenge to the current leadership and practices within the Royal Spanish Football Federation concerning the women’s game. This movement has been led by prominent players who recently achieved world champion status at the Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Last Friday, shortly after coach Montse Tomé announced the roster for the matches against Sweden and Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League, 39 players issued a public statement disavowing their selection for la Roja. Their stance is clear, yet it is framed around the need for structural changes rather than withdrawal alone.
What the players are asking for and why some world champions have not joined the call
The statement, disseminated via social media channels including posts from Alexia Putellas, Lola Gallardo, and other teammates, calls for comprehensive restructuring across several key areas. The players want changes to the organizational chart of women’s football, the presidential cabinet, the General Secretariat, the communications and marketing sector, and the integrity department. They emphasize a zero tolerance approach to actions that degrade the dignity of women and undermine the sport.
In their message, the group recounts the events surrounding the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup and the follow up meeting held by the federation. They argue that those incidents extended beyond sport and reflected broader social issues that require a robust response from leadership. The players state that their goal is to establish a working environment where respect is nonnegotiable and where the team can perform at the highest level without fear or distraction.
Open dialogue has been a constant theme for the group. They maintain that they have repeatedly offered constructive feedback and reasonable, well-articulated arguments to support the required reforms. The call is not a rejection of the federation itself but a insistence on accountability and a renewed commitment to the values of women’s football in Spain.
The reforms proposed by the players are outlined in a detailed list designed to prevent the recurrence of actions perceived as humiliating or detrimental to female athletes. The list includes a restructuring of the women’s football organizational chart, a reorganization of the presidential cabinet and general secretariat, the resignation of the federation’s chairman, and a revamp of the communications and marketing division and the integrity unit. The declaration makes clear that the federation has taken steps, but that those steps do not yet create a safe and respectful environment or secure the long term involvement and excellence of Spain’s women’s national team.
Ultimately, the players affirm their professional commitment to wear the national jersey with pride and to lead Spain to top positions in international competition. They argue that the changes called for are essential for future generations of players and for a more equal football culture in Spain. The public statements emphasize that the pursuit of improvement is in the best interests of the sport and of society as a whole, and they indicate a willingness to continue engaging with federation leaders in a process of meaningful reform.
The names associated with the movement include Ivana Andres, Aitana Bonmatí, Alba Redondo, Alexia Putellas, Catalina Coll, Enith Salvador, Esther González, Irene Paredes, Irene Guerrero, Jennifer Hermoso, Laia Codina, Maria Perez, Mariona Caldentey, Maria Isabel Rodriguez, Oihane Hernández, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Salma Paralluelo, Rocio Galvez, Teresa Abelleira, Elene Lete, Fiamma Benitez, Inma Gabarro, Eva Navarro, Martha Cardona, Maite Oroz, Jana Fernandez, Patricia Guijarro, Lola Gallardo, Nerea Eizagirre, Ainhoa Moraza, Maria Leon, Sandra Doeken, Claudia Pina, Amaiur Sarriegi, Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Lucia Garcia, and Andrea Pereira. The collective signs off with a firm resolve to push for a healthier, more respectful sporting environment for all players, now and into the future. The momentum behind the call continues to shape discussions around governance and equality in the sport. This development is being watched closely by fans, federation officials, and sports commentators across Spain and beyond. In reports and commentary, the situation is framed as a pivotal moment for how the federation approaches leadership, accountability, and the advancement of women’s football in the country.