Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas calls for ‘courage and leadership’ to overcome abuse in women’s game following Luis Rubiales saga

• Alexia Putellas wants authorities to do more to raise respect in women’s game
• She referenced the Luis Rubiales saga as proof attitudes need to change 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has called for authorities to show ‘courage and leadership’ to eliminate ‘abuse’ and a lack of respect from the women’s game. 

The World Cup winner referenced the Luis Rubiales saga – whose kiss on the lips of Putellas’ team-mate Jenni Hermoso eventually resulted in the Spanish football federation (RFEF) president resigning – as proof attitudes need to change.

‘We feel passion for our job, that of being soccer players. We are here to stay, to help those who will come because there is still a long way to go,’ the 29-year-old said at a ceremony to present her and her Barcelona team-mates with the Medal of Honour for services to women’s football from the Catalan government.

‘These days we have seen it with the serious situation that we are experiencing with the RFEF and the changes that we are requesting so that no woman, both inside and outside of football, never again has to experience situations such as lack of respect or abuse.

‘We need consensus, courage and leadership from the institutions please and that is why we will not stop here, we will join those who have fought before us.

Alexia Putellas has called for authorities to show ‘courage and leadership’ to eliminate ‘abuse’

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‘We will join together for the effort we make every day and we will join all the girls and boys who today dream of being like us.

‘We will not fail you, long live women’s sport and long live Barca.’

England boss Sarina Wiegman has stressed the importance of celebrating Spain’s players after they were overshadowed by the Rubiales saga.

Rubiales insists the kiss was consensual but Hermoso denies that and has submitted a complaint to the national prosecutor’s office.

It has been reported an investigation into Rubiales, who has been suspended by FIFA, has been opened by a high court judge.

Wiegman last month dedicated her UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award to Spain’s squad and on Wednesday said the voices of the players needed to be heard.

She referenced the recent Luis Rubiales saga as proof that attitudes need to change

‘Players need to be listened to and we need to move on,’ she said.

‘The women’s game has improved so much but there’s still a long way to go, and not only in Spain, but I think everywhere.

‘There’s many players, top athletes, who still have a lot of challenges which I think we should work on all together and try to make the world better for those players.

‘What we are working on is performing at the highest level so we have the visibility and the platform and, especially in the women’s game we feel the urgency, we can use that platform to hopefully make the world a little bit better.’

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