Spain’s World Cup winners will continue their boycott of the national team until further changes are made, with players insisting they do not feel ‘safe’ under the current regime.

Players announced their intention to strike last month after their victory in Australia and New Zealand was overshadowed by the actions of Luis Rubiales, the former Spanish FA president.

Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after the final, with the forward insisting the act was ‘non-consenual’.

He has been banned from contacting Hermoso and is not allowed within 200 metres from the 33-year-old. Rubiales denies both criminal charges.

The World Cup-winning Spain team have confirmed they will not be returning to international duty unless further changes within the structure of the Spanish Football Federation are made 

A statement signed by 39 Spanish players outlined their feelings towards to the changes that have been made so far – claiming they still don’t feel ‘safe’ or ‘respected’ by RFEF

But his resignation from the Spanish FA and the departure of manager Jorge Vilda, who was sacked earlier this month, has not been enough to convince players to return to the national team for Nations League fixtures with Sweden and Switzerland.

A total of 39 players, including 21 of the 23 World Cup winning squad, signed a letter demanding further changes within the Spanish FA.

‘The changes made are not enough for the players to feel safe, where women are respected, where there is support for women’s football and where we can maximise our potential,’ the players said in a statement.

‘The players of the Spanish team have, at all times, been open to dialogue, seeking to convey clear and well-argued reasons that we believe are necessary to be able to carry out our work at the highest level with the respect we deserve.

‘The specified changes to the RFEF are based on zero tolerance for those people who, from a position within the RFEF, have had, incited, hidden or applauded attitudes that go against the dignity of women.

‘We firmly believe that strong changes are required in leadership positions in the RFEF and specifically, in the area of women’s football.

Spain are set to face Sweden and Switzerland in Nations League on September 22 and 26. However, it remains to be seen who Montse Tome will be able to select 

It comes after Spainish FA president Luis Rubiales (right) sparked outrage after he forcibly kissed forward Jenni Hermoso (left) at the 2023 Women’s World Cup 

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One FA staff member that is expected to be part of the players’ demands is head of integrity Miguel García Caba

Rubiales (left) was reluctant to resign but has subsequently announced he will be leaving his post in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan (right)

‘We want to end this statement by expressing that the players of the Spanish team are professionals, and what fills us most with pride is wearing the shirt of our national team and leading our country to the highest positions.’ 

‘We believe that it is time to fight to show that these situations and practices have no place in football or society, that the current structure needs changes and we do it so that the next generations can have equality in football and at the level that we all deserve.’

Spain had been due to announce their squad at 3pm on Friday but have delayed doing so until further notice.

Former Spanish player Montse Tome, who was part of Vilda’s backroom staff at the World Cup, was named as his successor earlier this month.

Members of Spain’s World Cup winning side will make their position clear on Friday and will not accept call ups until ‘there are deeper changes in the structure of the National Team and Spanish Football Association (RFEF).’

Vilda was a divisive figure despite being at the helm for Spain’s World Cup triumph. In September 2022, 15 players wrote a letter to the Spanish FA refusing to play unless Vilda resigned, arguing that his reign was affecting their ’emotional state’ and amid talk of unprofessionalism.

Rubiales chose to back Vilda, who opted to select just three of the 15 players in his squad for the World Cup.

The protest against Vilda came amid reports he had banned players from locking their hotel rooms, carried out room checks, and went through their bags like ‘children’.

Spain are due to play Sweden on September 22 and Switzerland on September 26.