Spain’s World Cup winning women’s squad has agreed to end their boycott of the national team.
It comes after the country’s football federation (RFEF) said it would make “immediate and profound changes” to its structure.
The players had said they would not represent Spain until there were changes at the federation.
It followed a row over the now former RFEF boss, Luis Rubiales, kissing footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup presentation ceremony.
The announcement was made after a meeting lasting more than seven hours between the players, officials from the RFEF and Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD), and members from the players’ union FUTPRO.
“The players have expressed their concern about the need for profound changes in the RFEF, which has committed to making these changes immediately,” said CSD president Victor Francos.
He said a joint commission would be created involving members from all parties to “follow up on the agreements” set out in the meeting.
Image: Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso is kissed by then president of the RFEF Luis Rubiales during the World Cup presentation ceremony However, the agreements were not revealed following the meeting. Mr Francos promised they would be announced “soon”.
“It is the beginning of a long road ahead of us,” FUTPRO president Amanda Gutierrez told reporters.
“Once again, they [the players] have shown themselves to be coherent, and the vast majority have decided to stay for the sake of this agreement.”
Spain’s side went into the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand following a revolt by several senior players against the coaching methods of now former manager, Jorge Vilda.
However, despite the row, a much-changed Spain’s side won the competition in August, beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney.
But their victory was almost immediately overshadowed by a row over Rubiales grabbing and kissing Spain star Hermoso on the lips during the presentation ceremony.
Image: Spain’s Ivana Andres lifts Women’s World Cup after arriving back in Spain Rubiales claimed the kiss was “mutual and with the consent” of Hermoso and said that he was the victim of a witch hunt by “false feminists.”
Hermoso initially responded in an Instagram video during celebrations after the incident, the 33-year-old said: “I did not like it, but what could I do?”
Later, in a statement released by players’ union FUTPRO, she said she was “vulnerable” and “the victim of an aggression”.
After initially remaining defiant and refusing to quit, Rubiales was forced to resign earlier this month. He is the subject of a restraining order, after Hermoso filed a complaint for alleged sexual assault and coercion.
After most of the Women’s World Cup winners were selected for upcoming games, the players said in a joint statement they would take the “best decision” for their future and health and that they had asked to be left out.
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Twenty players who said they were boycotting the team were called up by new coach Montse Tome, and while all of them reported for training on Tuesday two decided to leave the squad for “personal reasons”.
Hermoso was not in the squad list announced on Monday and accused the RFEF of trying to divide and manipulate the players.
Spain are set to make their debut in the Women’s Nations League against Sweden in Gothenburg on Friday before playing against Switzerland in Cordoba on 26 September.
The Nations League will determine which teams from Europe qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.