What happens if Spain’s women reject national team call-up?
Under Spanish Sports Law, refusing international duty is a very serious infraction. The ball is in the hands of new Women’s team coach, Montse Tomé.
The Spanish Football Federation has received confirmation from the international players who have stated that they are not willing to be part of the women’s team squad for this month’s Nations League qualifiers - against Sweden on 22 September and Switzerland four days later. The 23 world champions and an additional 39 players continue their fight against the RFEF.
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Given this refusal on the part of the players, there are two scenarios. The first is that recently-appointed coach Montse Tomé chooses not to call those involved in the squad list that she is due to announce in Las Rozas later this afternoon. Alternatively, the most complex scenario is that she summons them for international duty and they formally reject the call-up. That however, would be a punishable offence as it is viewed as a very serious infraction by Spain’s National Sports Law.
Article 104. Very serious infractions
1. For the purposes of this law, the following are considered very serious infractions:
a) The violation of sanctions imposed for serious or very serious infractions.
b) Actions aimed at predetermining, through money, intimidation or simple agreements, the result of a test or competition, whether or not it affects the result, and, in general, actions that involve an attempt to alter the normal development of a competition or sporting activity.
c) The unjustified lack of attendance at the calls of the national sports teams, as well as players who have been designated to be part of the national teams that fail to make themselves available.
What would the consequences be?
Turning down the national team or failing to show after being called up would mean punishment for everyone who appears on Montse Tomé’s list. Article 108 of the Sports Law itself details what the consequences would be. In section A, a financial fine is cited - one that would range from 3,000 euros to 30,000 euros. In point i, the suspension of the federative license for each player is discussed.
Article 108. Sanctions for the commission of very serious infractions.
1. For the commission of very serious infractions classified in article 104.1, the following sanctions may be imposed, in appropriate proportion to the infraction committed:
a) Financial fine, not less than €3,000.01 nor more than €30,000 .
b) Loss of points or positions in the classification.
c) Loss or demotion in category or division.
d) Sports event or competition to be played behind closed doors.
e) Prohibition of access to stadiums or places where tests or competitions are held for a period of no more than five years.
f) Definitive loss of the rights that, as a partner or member of the respective society, association or sports entity, correspond to you.
g) Closure of the sports venue for a period between four games/meetings and a complete season.
h) Disqualification from holding positions in the sports entity for a period between two and fifteen years, in appropriate proportion to the infraction committed.
i) Suspension of federal license or equivalent temporary qualification for a period between two and fifteen years.