MOSCOW, September 18 – The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on its official website called on the female players of the national team to join the ongoing changes in the organization after the resignation of Luis Rubiales as president of the RFEF after the scandal with the kiss of soccer player Jennifer Hermoso.

Earlier, the football players sent a statement to the RFEF, in which they noted that the personnel decisions made – the resignation of Rubiales from the post of head of the RFEF – were not enough. They are calling for a restructuring of the presidential cabinet, communications and marketing, and RFEF’s integrity office. In August, the players of the Spanish national team already made a statement, then they refused to play for the national team if the leadership of the RFEF remained in the same composition.

“We strongly encourage women players to join these changes that are being made in the federation, recognizing that the changes that must continue must be thorough and fair. We guarantee a safe environment for players and strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust so that we can work together and guarantee “that women’s football will continue to develop much faster,” the statement added.

During the awards ceremony for the winners of the Women’s World Cup, which took place in Australia and New Zealand, Rubiales hugged and kissed national team player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips. Many journalists and fans called his actions excessive. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has temporarily suspended Rubiales from all football-related activities. The Spaniard later resigned as president of the organization, and the Spanish National Court opened a criminal case against Rubiales.