Rubiales Accepts Resignation and A Wave of Reactions from Spanish Football Figures
The sudden hush surrounding top male professional football players broke only hours before the meeting to reveal a clear outcome: Rubiales would step down. A close ally, Rafael del Amo, who holds leadership roles as vice-president and president of the Navarre Football Association, acknowledged the impending departure. Following the meeting, a member of the National Women’s Football Committee resigned from her post as well.
Relating to
- The extraordinary meeting of the Spanish Federation drew attention to the so‑called “pearls” of Rubiales.
- Rubiales declared he would not resign and described the situation as a social attack, vowing to fight until the end.
As news of Rubiales staying in office spread, reactions grew quicker and more pointed. The most notable came from Borja Iglesias, Betis forward who has represented Spain at the international level. He expressed sorrow and disappointment, stating that the events at Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas do not reflect him as a footballer or as a person. He added that it was unfortunate the focus remained on a colleague rather than the broader issues at hand.
His message was clear: I’m sorry and disappointed. As a football player and as a person, I don’t think that what happened at Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas represents me. It is unfortunate that pressure continues to fall on a teammate.
— Borja Iglesias (@BorjaIglesias9) August 25, 2023
Bellerín: “Machismo Has No Place”
After his final training with the Betis squad before another LaLiga matchday, Héctor Bellerín reaffirmed his stance. He said it was regrettable that the focus kept returning to teammates and announced that he would not return to the national team unless changes were made and misconduct went unpunished. Both he and his teammate have a history of speaking out on social issues with resolve.
What happened is deeply embarrassing. Representing the country in a vulgar way damages the victim’s credibility and, most importantly, wrongfully places blame on victims. The behavior must not go unpunished. Football should be a catalyst for progress, and machismo has no place in this sport.
Casillas: “We Must Talk About the Title”
Former and current Spain players did not stay silent. David De Gea, who wore the national shirt 45 times, commented that the situation was painful to hear, describing it as an act that left his ears ringing. He spoke in a tone that invited support from those nearby.
Iker Casillas did not stay quiet either. He posted soon after a recent debate during Sunday’s World Cup final, suggesting that Rubiales should have resigned earlier. Casillas, who briefly served as a stand‑in candidate for the RFEF chair in 2020, emphasized the need to address the matter and focus on what matters for women’s football, urging reflection on what has been achieved and what still lies ahead.
We should spend time asking how we can better support our girls and celebrate the positive things they contribute to the sport, and we should refrain from bragging about titles that we do not yet possess in women’s football.
—Iker Casillas (@IkerCasillas) August 25, 2023