Spain players arrive at camp amid ban threat

Players have reported for duty with Spain’s women’s national team with the threat of a fine or a domestic ban looming over them if they don’t.

The six Madrid-based players arrived at a hotel in the Spanish capital on Tuesday before departing for Valencia, where the rest of the squad are expected to join them to prepare for UEFA Nations League games against Sweden and Switzerland.

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Twenty of the 23 players called up by new Spain head coach Montse Tome on Monday had released a statement on Friday saying they were unwilling to play for the national team until changes were carried out by the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF].

The players, many of whom helped La Roja win the World Cup last month, said they were surprised by their call-up on Monday after they had made clear their decision not to play for Spain until their demands for change were met.

However, according to Spanish sports law, athletes are required to answer the call of their national team unless there are circumstances that impede them from playing, such as an injury.

Should they refuse the call, the players face sanctions including fines of up to €30,000 ($32,000) and the suspension of their federation licence for two to 15 years.

Victor Francos, the president of the supreme council for sports in the country [CSD], said he hopes it does not come to that and plans to act as a mediator between the players and the RFEF.

“If the players don’t show up, the government will do what it has to do, which is to apply the law,” Francos said. “Unfortunately, the law is the law, but I still hope that there can be a solution. I am going to talk with the players. I am going to try.”

Miquel Iceta, the minister of culture and sport, said he cannot imagine the players being sanctioned and called on the RFEF to make the necessary changes.

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“The RFEF does not have the right to deprive Spain of the women’s national team, especially after they have won the World Cup,” Iceta said.

Spain face Sweden in Gothenburg on Friday and then host Switzerland in Cordoba on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Both games are in the Nations League, which also serves as the qualification pathway for next summer’s Olympics.