Spanish footballer Borja Iglesias announced that he will boycott selections until Spain Football Association Chief Luis Rubiales remains in office. Notably, Rubiales kissed Spain women's football star Jenni Hermoso on the lips when the team won their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
After receiving heat and backlash from fans and government officials, the football association chief decided to step down from the role. Rubiales was expected to submit his papers on Friday, August 25, but he defended his actions and said that it was a ‘peck’ and it was ‘consensual’.
The Real Betis star took to social media to announce his decision and said that he won’t go back to the national team until things change.
Iglesias wrote, "Wearing the Spanish National Team shirt is one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my career. I don't know if at some point I will be an option again, but I have made the decision not to return to the National Team until things change and this type of act does not go unpunished. For a fairer, more humane and decent football."
Hector Bellerin and David De Gea slam Luis Rubiales
Former Arsenal defender and Spain international Hector Bellerin slammed Luis Rubiales on social media. He wrote, “What is happening is truly shameful. From representing our country with that level of vulgarity, misrepresenting the victim's statements and, on top of that, having the audacity to blame her, going on to victimise her for having committed an abuse, are facts that no one would do.”
He added, "The narcissist never believes he has made a mistake, he is capable of lying, manipulating the truth and making the victim guilty in order to maintain his power above others."
Apart from him, Jenni Hermoso's fellow Spain footballer Alexia Putellas came in support of her teammate and extended her support to the 33-year-old. Putellas took to Twitter and wrote, "This is unacceptable. It's over. With you partner."
Not only this but the Spain FA Chief was also slammed by the former Spanish international David De Gea, who took to Twitter to express his disappointment after he declined to resign. De Gea tweeted, “My ears are bleeding.”
