Two Spanish FA chiefs ‘will SUE their World Cup winners for defamation and putting pressure on officials to sack them’ after stars refused to return to action until more changes were made to the crisis-hit federation

According to reports from Spain, members of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will sue the 39 players who have refused to return to the squad.

With the association embroiled in the ‘kiss-gate’ scandal that has dominated Spanish football over the past month, the Women’s World Cup winning squad was joined by a further 16 players who signed a statement saying they will not return unless changes are made to be applied.

Their statement – which two players ultimately withdrew from – called for changes by the RFEF as the team did not feel ‘safe’ or ‘respected’ by La Roja’s attitude.

It comes despite Luis Rubiales – who kissed Jenni Hermoso – announcing his resignation, although he continues to plead his innocence as he battles allegations of sexual assault and coercion.

It is now believed that RFEF executives are filing a complaint in response to the players, accusing them of defamation and coercion.

Disgraced former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales resigned amid widespread criticism earlier in September

39 players – including the 23 World Cup winners – signed a statement calling for changes in the FA

Mundo Deportivo reports that the RFEF has asked to draw up a list of the executives against whom the team is directing their complaints.

However, the potential counterclaim could have an impact on that list, with players potentially less likely to offer the specific targets of their complaints if there is fear of a complaint targeting them in response.

It is believed that the executives and managers involved are preparing to argue that the crimes they are accused of never occurred and that the 39 players are pressuring the RFEF to remove certain staff members.

It is believed that a letter was sent to RFEF interim president Pedro Rocha informing him of the impending counterclaim. This letter assumes that the warning of legal action has come.

New manager Montse Tome was due to announce her squad for the upcoming first Women’s UEFA Nations League, but this has been postponed until further notice.

The statement, signed by 39 players, was issued on Friday after reports warned the World Cup winners would reject their squad call-up until changes were made.

“The changes made are not enough to make players feel safe, where women are respected, where there is support for women’s football and where we can maximize our potential,” the statement read.

‘The players of the Spanish team have always been open to dialogue and have tried to convey clear and well-argued reasons that we believe are necessary to be able to carry out our work at the highest level with the respect we deserve.

It comes after Rubiales sparked outrage after forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso (left) at the 2023 Women’s World Cup

A statement signed by 39 Spanish players outlined their feelings towards the changes made so far – claiming they still do not feel ‘safe’ or ‘respected’ by RFEF

“The specified changes to the RFEF are based on zero tolerance for those people who from a position within the RFEF have engaged, instigated, concealed or condoned attitudes that are contrary to the dignity of women.

“We strongly believe that strong changes are needed in leadership positions in the RFEF and specifically in women’s football.

“We would like to end this statement by expressing that the players of the Spanish team are professionals, and what fills us most with pride is wearing the shirt of our national team and leading our country to the highest positions.”

‘We believe that it is time to fight to show that these situations and practices have no place in football or society, that the current structure needs changes and we do that so that the next generations can have equality in football and at the level we can achieve. they all deserve it.’