Spain’s World Cup players to continue boycott despite Luis Rubiales’ resignation

The large majority of the victorious squad remain unavailable for this month’s Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland, saying they are not yet “in a safe place” to return and that the problems at the RFEF run far deeper than Rubiales.

Twenty-one of Spain’s World Cup winning squad have signed a statement saying Luis Rubiales’ resignation is “not enough” to prompt their return to the national squad. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA

Twenty-one of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad have issued a statement saying the resignation of Luis Rubiales is “not enough” to trigger their return to national team duty.

A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, released a statement last month indicating they would not play for Spain again while Rubiales remained in post.