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SPAIN

Borja Iglesias refuses to play for Spain with Luis Rubiales in charge

Real Betis and Spain forward Borja Iglesias has reacted to the Luis Rubiales controversy and made a decision on his future.

(FILES) Real Betis' Spanish forward Borja Iglesias celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Betis and Girona FC at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on September 18, 2022. Spanish striker Borja Iglesias quit the men's national team on August 25, 2023 after federation president Luis Rubiales refused to resign following his unsolicited kiss on Women's World Cup star Jenni Hermoso's lips. The Real Betis forward, who has played twice for his country, most recently in March, took a stand against the Spanish football federation (RFEF) chief's decision to fight for his job. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)
CRISTINA QUICLERAFP

Luis Rubiales’ speech on Friday has provoked reactions of all kinds and among those, some are particularly striking, such as Borja Iglesias’ decision not to play for Spain with the current Spanish FA president in charge.

“I am sad and disappointed. As a footballer and as a person I don’t feel represented by what happened today at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas. I find it regrettable that they continue to pressure and put the spotlight on a team-mate. Wearing the shirt of the Spanish National Team is the greatest thing that has happened to me in my career,” Borja Iglesias wrote on his official Twitter account on Friday.

“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 these types of acts don’t go unpunished.”

Iglesias with Spain

Iglesias has played a total of 51 minutes for Spain, under former boss Luis Enrique. It now remains to be seen if any of his international team-mates will follow in his footsteps.