Spain’s Bonmatí: ‘Tarnished’ WWC success must lead to change،
Aitana Bonmatí said Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph had been “tarnished” but added the turmoil would have been worth it if female footballers saw improvements in the game.
Spain beat England in the final in Sydney on August 20, with Barcelona midfielder Bonmatí awarded the Golden Ball, but the behavior of former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales, after the final whistle, sparked calls for change.
Rubiales, who resigned from his position on September 10, faces criminal charges for an unsolicited kiss on the lips of Jenni Hermoso, while he was also convicted of grabbing her crotch, squeezing and kissing some players and having carried another one on his shoulder.
“The fact that our World Cup
“We want professional treatment and what was seen was not at all professional. We were asking for change and we were very far from being a global example. For my part, these were difficult times, with nervousness and anxiety .”
The Spanish side had pushed for change at the RFEF in September 2022, when 15 players made themselves unavailable for selection until certain improvements were made.
Only three of the fifteen returned from their voluntary exile to participate in the World Cup.
Demands for better conditions for women re-emerged minutes after the final in Sydney due to Rubiales’ inappropriate behavior.
After Rubiales initially refused to resign over his conduct, 81 current and retired Spain internationals declared they would no longer play for the national team under his leadership.
Even after his resignation and the dismissal of head coach Jorge Vilda, the players again demanded that important conditions be met.
“They promised us changes,” Bonmatí added. “Some of them were created for and during the World Cup, but others were not. We felt that every time we received a call-up from the national team instead of taking advantage of it, we We were suffering. We wanted the same professional treatment that we receive in our respective clubs. The difference was very big.
Last month, players, including Bonmatí, who reported for the Spain women’s national team did so despite being threatened with a fine or national ban if they did not report. not.
“We were forced by law to go somewhere we didn’t want to go if certain changes didn’t happen.” » said Bonmati. “I don’t understand that there is a law that forces you to join the national team if at any point you don’t feel right about doing so.”
Spanish women’s professional football players called off their strike last month after reaching a minimum wage deal.
The minimum annual salary established for this season is €21,000, which could increase up to €23,000 ($22,111) depending on the growth of commercial revenue from the competition.
“The inequality is obvious,” Bonmatí said. “We don’t ask to be paid the same as men because we don’t think it’s obligatory that it be that way, but we want equal conditions.
“Sometimes we go to the football fields and I ask myself ‘how can we play here?’ Our integrity as footballers is in danger.”
Bonmatí, who is favorite to win the women’s Ballon d’Or, hopes Spain can improve and mirror the professional approach implemented in England.
“There is still a long way to go,” Bonmatí said. “We have a great example not far from home in England. Let’s try to emulate it and learn from it.”
