Megan Rapinoe is ‘with the players 100%’ in standoff between the Spanish women’s national team and its federation

Megan Rapinoe. Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra 15 Spanish national team players are boycotting their federation over issues with the coach. The US Women’s National Team is set to play the depleted Spanish team Tuesday evening in Pamplona.

Star Megan Rapinoe called the situation “really sad” and said she stands “with the players 100%. ” Megan Rapinoe has some experience clashing with her federation. So when it comes to the Spanish women’s national team’s ongoing feud with its federation, the pink-haired superstar is “with the players 100%.

“”I can really empathize with the players, obviously,” Rapinoe told members of the press ahead of the US Women’s National Team’s friendly against Spain Tuesday evening. “That many players coming together, which seemed like in a very respectful manner, voicing their concerns about the program or that they feel like the program needs to be better in taking care of them and having a professional environment, in the way that they’re treated. “Spain’s Irene Paredes (left) shakes hands with Rapinoe ahead of their 2019 World Cup match.

Robert Cianflone/Getty Images”Obviously we’ve been in that situation many times,” she added. “So I know how difficult that is to do. “Fifteen players from the world’s eighth-ranked national team have boycotted the senior squad over concerns about head coach Jorge Vilda, who the athletes allege fostered an environment that “significantly” affected their physical and mental health in a negative manner.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) responded to emails detailing those issues by vowing not to submit to “any type of pressure from any player,” then called on the 15 athletes to “accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness” if they wish to return to the national team. Rapinoe — who will be one of the 23 American players rostered against the depleted Spanish side in Pamplona Tuesday evening — called the RFEF’s handling of the situation “disrespectful. “Rapinoe.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip”It’s really sad to see,” Rapinoe said. “But as we’ve seen in our country and elsewhere, women’s players continue to have to fight for what seems like the bare minimum — in treatment and resources and just general respect.

“Though Rapinoe admitted that she had not “spoken with the players directly,” she said she’d ascertained that the 15 athletes were calling attention to many of “the same issues” women’s teams around the world have long faced: the need for proper resources, physical care, and treatment, as well as “just continuing to professionalize the environment as much as possible. “The American striker said she expects Tuesday’s matchup “to be a really tough match” even without the 15 players — Patri Guijarro, Mapi León, Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Sandra Paños, Claudia Pina, Ainhoa Vicente, Lola Gallardo, Leila Ouahabi, Laia Aleixandri, Lucia Garcia, Ona Batlle, Amaiur Sarriegi, Nerea Eizagirre, and Andrea Pereira. Midfielder Patri Guijarro is one of 15 players no longer with the Spanish national team.

REUTERS/Bernadett SzaboStill, she said she knows Spain is a stronger team with all of its players at its disposal, and expressed hope that the issue can be resolved well before the 2023 World Cup kicks off next summer. “The World Cup is less 12 months away,” Rapinoe said, “and obviously the World Cup would be less if the Spanish team wasn’t at its very best. “Fans can tune in to ESPN at 2:30 p.

m. ET Tuesday to watch Rapinoe and the USWNT take on Spain. Check out Rapinoe’s full comments below: Read the original article on Insider.