Focus

Spanish women footballers to strike over pay, Rubiales kiss

08 Sep 2023 05:41pm
Spanish player Jenni Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint over the kiss suspended football chief Luis Rubiales gave her on the mouth at the Women's World Cup final, a source at Spain's public prosecutors office said on Sept 6. (Photo by STEVE CHRISTO / AFP)
Spanish player Jenni Hermoso has filed a criminal complaint over the kiss suspended football chief Luis Rubiales gave her on the mouth at the Women's World Cup final, a source at Spain's public prosecutors office said on Sept 6. (Photo by STEVE CHRISTO / AFP)

MADRID - Female footballers in the Spanish first division are going on strike at the start of the season to demand for better pay, reported German news agency (dpa).

Many said they would not play for Spain again until suspended football federation president Luis Rubiales resigns or is sacked after kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following August's World Cup triumph.

Now, they will not play for their clubs after the failure of negotiations over wages. The strike will take place this weekend and next weekend, the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) union announced.

"We consider Liga F's latest offer unacceptable," a statement said late on Thursday.

The league did not budge from its offer of a minimum annual salary of €20,000 (US$21,000) for the new season, but players were demanding at least €23,000.

With guaranteed revenues of almost €100 million for the 2023-24 season, the union said it would be easy for the clubs to finance the increase.

Previously, a minimum salary of €16,000 had applied since 2019.

In February 2020, the players went on strike to get the unions and clubs to sign a collective agreement for the first time which provided for maternity leave.

Related Articles:

Spanish women's football was already in chaos following the fallout from the World Cup trophy presentation last month.

Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in celebration at full-time following the 1-0 win over England, said the kiss was consensual but Hermoso denied this.

Fifa provisionally suspended him but he has vowed to try to clear his name. Rubiales had previously faced a mutiny over coach Jorge Vilda from the players before the World Cup, but he stuck by him.

Vilda was dismissed by the federation this week. - BERNAMA-dpa

Spain
female
football
strike
More Like This
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that he may allow TikTok to continue operations in the United States. - Photo: XINHUA
World Trump says may keep TikTok around 'for a little while'
The nation's top court is set to hear arguments on Jan 10 regarding whether the law unconstitutionally limits freedom of speech, in breach of the First Amendment.
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
Police officers stand guards during an anti-Yoon Suk Yeol public activity, as the South Korean President is expected to face impeachment following his declaration of an emergency martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, on 04 December, 2024. - Anadolu Agency file photo
World Police analysing Yoon's phone records in martial law probe
Police are also working to obtain a secure phone used by Yoon and its records from the Presidential Security Service.
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
Photo for illustrative purposes only - Canva
World Health warning issued over flesh-eating ulcer in Southeast Australian state
The Department of Health in Victoria on Friday said that cases of Buruli ulcer are spreading across the state, including in inner Melbourne.
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
Donald Trump's transition team is pushing to pull the United States out of the WHO on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who warn of the "catastrophic" impact it would have on global health, the Financial Times reported. - Photo: XINHUA
World US withdrawal from WHO would be 'catastrophic' - Expert
Members of Trump's team told experts of their intention to announce withdrawal from the global health body on the president-elect's Jan 20 inauguration, noting that the departure would remove WHO's biggest source of funds, damaging its ability to respond to public health crises such...