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‘It’s over’: Spain and Sweden women’s footballers stage protest

Spain's world champions and their Swedish opponents on Friday held up a banner with the slogan 'It's over' in protest over the sexism scandal, which has engulfed the Spanish football federation.

Published: 23 September 2023 10:16 CEST
'It's over': Spain and Sweden women's footballers stage protest
The Spanish and the Swedish team pose with a banner reading "#it's over, our fight is the global fight" ahead the UEFA women's Nation League football match Sweden vs Spain in Gothenburg, on September 22nd, 2023. Photo: Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Spain won the Nations League clash in Gothenburg 3-2 when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty six minutes into added time.

The pre-match protest came as the Spain team returned to action for the first time since lifting the World Cup where former federation chief Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips.

The 22 players held up the banner bearing the Spanish phrase ‘Se Acabo‘ (‘It’s over’) adding that the struggle of the players against chauvinism and sexual assault was “the global fight” for equality between men and women.

Just before kick-off in Friday’s Nations League game, the Spanish women also raised their fists to reveal wristbands which carried words of protest and support.

Most carried the same ‘Se Acabo‘ message, while others simply wrote ‘Jenni’ or the number 10 of Hermoso’s shirt.

Hermoso was not called up for the game by new coach Montse Tome to “protect her”.

Nine of the 23 world champions who refused to return to the team since the Rubiales scandal broke, demanding profound changes within the Spanish Football Federation, finally started at kick-off on Friday.

READ ALSO: Most Spanish women footballers rejoin squad after deal

“It’s a very positive victory that manages to make you forget the days we’ve had,” said Tome.

“It also means that we have players with incredible talent. They love what they do. What they know how to do is play soccer, and we have to make them feel they can really concentrate on the game.”

Magdalena Eriksson gave the hosts a 23rd minute lead.

Athenea del Castillo levelled seven minutes before half time. Eva Navarro put Spain ahead in the 77th minute but Lina Hurtig replied for Sweden.

Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden was shown a straight red card five minutes into added time conceding the penalty that Caldentey converted.

“It’s been a difficult few days for all of us, but we’ve shown that we’re a real team who want to represent our country and fight to the end,” said Real Madrid striker Del Castillo.

“That’s what counts. I hope that the changes underway will continue and that everything will go well.”

“We were tired and didn’t sleep well over the last few days, but I’m satisfied with the work we’ve done.”

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PROTESTS

Pro-Palestine students stage new protest at Lund University graduation

Both student protestors and graduating doctoral students showed their support for Palestine at Lund University's doctoral graduation ceremony on Friday, where police had evacuated an anti-Israel tent camp a day prior.

Published: 31 May 2024 17:13 CEST
Pro-Palestine students stage new protest at Lund University graduation

The doctoral graduation ceremony was held in the Lundagård park, where until Thursday, students had been camping to show their support of Palestine.

They were forcibly removed by police early on Thursday morning in order to make room for the graduation ceremony. According to police, around 40 people were taken into custody for identification.

On Friday, students shouted “stop the bombing, now, now, now,” as the university fired cannons to celebrate its graduating doctoral students, Sydsvenskan journalists, who estimated the number of protesters as “around 80”, reported.

One of the participating doctoral graduates walked in the procession holding a large Palestinian flag, with more of the country’s flags painted on his cheeks, which was met with cheers by protestors.

There was a large police presence during the procession, where the police had cordoned off a large rectangle for protesters to stand in. Both the procession and the protest were over by 4pm, with no reported issues.

Students told local newspaper Sydsvenskan on Thursday that they wanted the university to stop collaborating with Israeli institutions.

“We understand that it’s important for the university to hold onto its traditions, but today they should be prioritising the Palestinian people,” a group of anonymous students told the newspaper.

“There’s an ongoing genocide happening in Gaza and ongoing occupation on the West Bank. We want the university to stop collaborating with Israeli institutions. We think our demands are reasonable.”

Friday’s protest received a mixed reception from Lund locals, Sydsvenskan reported. One asked “what have the graduating doctoral students done to you?”, while another shouted “long live Israel.”

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