– It is a chaotic situation for the Spanish players. All together have actually been seen in a difficult situation. That’s what Ingrid Syrstad Engen says to news. Since the Spanish won the WC gold this summer, there has been chaos around both the team and the Spanish association. The row was really sparked when then football president Luis Rubiales kissed Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth during the World Cup medal ceremony. In the wake of the scandal, the entire winning team has said that they will boycott Spain’s next international matches under the current management. Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Norway meet Austria in the national league at 19.00 – the match will be broadcast on news TV and news Sport. THE BACKGROUND: This kiss eventually led to Rubiales stepping down as football president. – How has it been for you to follow this conflict? – Yes, one feels for them. You can see how tough it is to be in such a situation. The most important thing is to give them all the support they need and the whole world has actually done that. – It has been very gratifying to see how many people get involved, as it should be in a case like this, of course. I think they need all the support they can get, says Syrstad Engen, who is both best friend and teammate of Spain player Mapi Leon. HAS TURNED AROUND: At an extraordinary general meeting on 25 August, Rubiales repeated that he was not going to resign. He has now done that. Photo: RFEF / AP Say no to national league matches Leon was still not in this year’s World Cup squad due to dissatisfaction with the Spanish federation. She is also not in the upcoming national league games against Sweden and Switzerland, as one of two players she has chosen not to be part of the squad. – This is a process and changes happen. We are happy that there are good intentions, but we need time. We support our colleagues, as we have done until now from a distance, said Mapi León according to the Spanish major newspaper Marca. CHOICE TO STAY ABOVE: Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro talk to the press about the decision to skip national league games. Photo: AFP Syrstad Engen, who experiences the conflict up close through his girlfriend, tries to stand up in the best possible way. – It is clear that one lives close to it. That’s how it is. One experiences it and tries to support it as best as possible. – It is normal that you support the person you are with and your teammates, she says. Has promised changes Three weeks after the scandalous kiss, Rubiales resigned as football president. On the basis that Hermoso has said that the controversial kiss with Rubiales was not voluntary, the Spanish prosecution has also opened a case of possible sexual abuse. REPORTED: The Spanish national team player Jennifer Hermoso. Photo: John Cowpland / AP The Football Association, which has received a lot of criticism for its handling of the case, has promised changes and on Wednesday the general secretary was fired. – Now it seems that they have reached some kind of agreement, but things have been done in the wrong way. I only hope that things will improve now, says Syrstad Engen further. – What do you think should happen to the extent that you can, or want to say something about it in the inflamed conflict? – No, they have to listen to their players. I guess that’s what it’s all about. – It is a big conflict with many different incidents. Here they have fought for changes in the entire system. You also have situations that have happened that are completely unacceptable, so here are several things that should not happen. – Systematically discriminated against for several decades Norway and Syrstad Engen meet the Austrian Nations League on Friday at 19 at Ullevaal. Watch the match on NRK2 or listen to it on news Radio. Spain, on the other hand, meets Sweden. At the press conference the day before the match, Alexia Putellas did little to soften the sharp tone. – The women’s national team has been systematically discriminated against for several decades, she said. STAR: Alexia Putellas. Photo: AFP Putellas has won the Ballon d’Or twice and is among the best players in the world. She is supported by teammate Irene Paredes. – The only thing we want is to play football with dignity and respect. It has not been possible until now.
ttn-69