Spain’s Women’s Soccer Team Goes on Strike

Written by Connor Foster | September 10, 2023

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The women’s national soccer team of Spain has gone on strike for the beginning of their club season. This is coming in the wake of the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, kissing player Jennifer Hermoso without her consent at the World Cup final. Since the incident Rubiales has been suspended from all soccer activities and barred from contacting Hermoso while criminal investigations are ongoing. This action is consistent with the disrespect that women’s soccer players have historically experienced in Spain. It has also brought these long-overlooked issues into the forefront of media coverage internationally. The widespread discussion regarding this instance has led to broader calls to end the machismo mindset that has dominated Spanish soccer and society to date.

Along with instances of sexual harassment, the women’s team has also consistently received less pay and worse working conditions than the men’s soccer players. As wages currently stand, the current minimum yearly pay for men in dollars is approximately $192,559 compared to $17,117 for women. Reducing this outstanding wage gap is another goal of the strike that the women soccer players have been requesting for years. Other goals focus on issues such as better standards for maternity leave and increased access to sports wellness resources that their male counterparts have. The season will not continue until the federation and the players union come to adequate agreements on these issues.