Spain women’s deal with federation and government progressing

The agreements Spain’s women footballers reached last week with the country’s football federation and government advanced further Wednesday.

The meeting served to “consolidate the bases of the agreement, guaranteeing cooperation and collaboration to promote women’s football through dialogue with the players of the senior national team,” the Spanish sports council (CSD) said in a statement.

The CSD, which reports to the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Federation (RFEF) and the players, represented by the FutPro union, fleshed out the deal struck last week, defining the structure of a new three-sided commission to follow the development of improvements to women’s football.

“It was a very positive meeting, over the terms that were agreed in the Oliva agreements,” said Victor Francos, president of the CSD.

“The truth is that we have developed point by point all the things that had been agreed in Oliva (where Spain’s national team camp was held).

“Specifically we have agreed that, if there is no problem or unforeseen agenda, on October 9 or 10 the document will be signed.”

Spain players, striking in the wake of the Luis Rubiales forced kiss scandal and aiming for further changes, were called up to play in Nations League games against their will.

The majority eventually agreed to play after a lengthy overnight emergency meeting in Oliva between the CSD, RFEF and the squad. 

Francos said the document being drawn up includes some changes which have taken place, including the sackings of general secretary Andreu Camps and director of integrity Miguel Garcia Caba.

“I am very happy for them, because I think they deserve it, I think they have shown tremendous professionalism with all the pressure and all the concerns they have had over these days,” Francos added.

Double Ballon d’Or winner and Spain captain Alexia Putellas said she thought the meeting last week would be a turning point to “make our sport, and I think women’s sport, and consequently society, much better”.

Women’s World Cup winners Spain beat Sweden and Switzerland in the Nations League to boost their chances of playing in next summer’s Olympic Games.