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Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias is the first player from Spain's men's team to threaten a boycott unless Luis Rubiales is sacked in the wake of Sunday's 'kissgate' debacle.
Rubiales has come in for widespread criticism after vigorously kissing Spain veteran Jenni Hermoso on the lips in the wake of her Women's World Cup win over England in Sydney. The president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) apologised for his actions on Monday but has since said he refuses to be forced out by 'social murder'.
However, pressure on Rubiales to step down from his position is mounting after Spain frontman Iglesias stood up in solidarity with his female counterpart. The 30-year-old – who has been capped since earning his senior Spain debut in 2022 – said he will not play for La Roja again while the under-fire RFEF chief is still in office.
"I am sad and disappointed," wrote Iglesias on social media. "As a footballer and as a person I don't feel represented by what happened today in the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas [the Spanish FA headquarters]. I find it sad that they continue to press and focus on a colleague (Rubiales).
READ MORE: Spanish creep who kissed Women's World Cup star refuses to resign in 'social murder' rant
"Wearing the Spanish National Team shirt is one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my career. I don't know if at some point I will be an option again, but I have made the decision not to return to the National Team until things change and this type of act does not go unpunished."
Hermoso appeared to defend Rubiales' actions as 'spontaneous' after Sunday's final but later admitted she 'did not enjoy' Rubiales' approach. Players union FUTPRO has since issued a statement on her behalf, which condemned 'conduct that violates the dignity of women'.
Iglesias signed off his statement with a succinct message: "For a fairer, more humane and decent football."
His announcement comes just ahead of the upcoming international break, which will see Spain's men face Georgia and Cyprus in back-to-back Euro 2024 qualifiers. There's a fine chance manager Luis de la Fuente would have picked the Betis forward as part of his selection – and still might depending on whether (or how quickly) Rubiales' fate is resolved.
Iglesias' Betis team-mate Hector Bellerin joined in the condemnation and called Rubiales' actions "truly shameful." He added: "From representing our country with that level of vulgarity, misrepresenting the victim's statements and, on top of that, having the audacity to blame her, going on to victimise her for having committed an abuse, are facts that no one would do.
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"How can this go unpunished? Football is a social tool to make advancements and progress, machismo should have no place within this system. "The narcissist never believes he has made a mistake, he is capable of lying, manipulating the truth and making the victim guilty in order to maintain his power above others."
Olga Carmona's strike decided a 1-0 win for La Roja in what was the first Women's World Cup final for either Spain or England. However, the greatest success in the history of the team was all too quickly overshadowed by the seedy overstepping of boundaries.
Rubiales was further criticised after he was caught on camera grabbing his crotch in the presence of Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Sofia. The 46-year-old apologised for that display [which he said was to manager Jorge Vilda] and 'did not justify' the act, though he's refused to accept the kiss on Hermoso – which he described as a 'peck' – should result in his dismissal.
Spain's acting Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said Rubiales' first attempt at an apology was "not adequate", adding: "He has to continue taking steps to clarify what we all saw. The players did everything to win, but Rubiales' behaviour shows that there is still a long way to go for equality."
Pundits and commentators have called on prominent male allies to voice their concerns following such a troubling moment for the women's game. Many will hope Iglesias and Bellerin are just the first such stars to lambast Rubiales in the wake of such a substantial controversy, which looks set to cause more disruption across both men and women's teams the longer Rubiales remains in power.
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