Awful Ederson & McKennie magic leave City in real UCL trouble

Saka leads wasteful Arsenal to brink of UCL last 16

Torres' two-goal salvo snatches Barca win at Dortmund

Dele Alli's Origin Story

Ashworth farce shows Man Utd in even bigger mess under Sir Jim

Antonio’s former manager wipes away tears in emotional tribute

Ronaldo & Al-Nassr stars gifted BMW XM cars worth €155k

Oscar bids farewell to China after netting extraordinary sum

Man City's FFP blow! PL could be encouraged by UEFA revelation

Bellingham is balling again for Madrid - but Mbappe suffers injury

CR7 sends emotional message as Portugal co-host World Cup

Guardiola's brother aims dig at Man Utd over Van de Beek

Antonio's first words after horror car crash revealed

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Spanish FA president will not walk</li><li>Critics urging him to step down</li><li>Behaviour at World Cup sparked controversy</li></ul>

Spain striker Borja Iglesias announces decision to boycott national team in protest against Luis Rubiales refusing to resign

Rubiales has, after sparking controversy at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, defiantly stated that he will <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/jenni-hermoso-players-union-spanish-fa-luis-rubiales-punished-kiss-world-cup-victory/blta919cc5e30e962c9" target="_blank">not be resigning</a> from his prominent post with the Spanish FA. Rubiales has apologised for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/spanish-fa-president-luis-rubiales-controversy-kissing-grabbing-world-cup-winners-barcelona-star-jennifer-hermoso/blt8298b2302f4ed436" target="_blank">kissing Barcelona star Jenni Hermoso</a> on the back of seeing Spain capture a global crown, but he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/consensual-spanish-fa-chief-luis-rubiales-refuses-resign-kissing-womens-world-cup-winner-jenni-hermoso-hits-false-feminism/bltc882d01d74398dcf" target="_blank">will not be bowing to pressure and walking away</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Rubiales said during a bizarre speech in which he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/bullsh-t-luis-rubiales-critics-spanish-fa-kisses-grabs-players-world-cup-win/bltb3506faa957ae9b1" target="_blank">sought to defend his actions</a> and hit back at his many critics: “I have already apologised for an unfortunate gesture. I have already said about the kiss that it is mutual and consented and for which I have to apologise for the context. Was it serious enough for me to go? I will not resign.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Iglesias is among those to have expressed disappointment at Rubiales’ stance, with the 30-year-old frontman ruling himself out of contention for future international call-ups until change is made within the Spanish system. He has posted on social media: “I am sad and disappointed. As a footballer and as a person I don't feel represented by what happened today in the Ciudad del Futbol de Las Rozas. I find it unfortunate that they continue to press and focus on a colleague. Wearing the Spanish National Team shirt is one of the greatest things that has happened to me in my career. I don't know if at some point I will be an option again, but I have made the decision not to return to the National Team until things change and this type of act does not go unpunished. For a fairer, more humane and decent football.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Rubiales has been capped on two occasions by Spain at senior level, with an impressive haul of 50 goals through 164 appearances for Betis putting him in contention for selection by La Roja.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Spain striker Borja Iglesias announces decision to boycott national team in protest against Luis Rubiales refusing to resign | Goal.com

Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias has announced that he will be boycotting the Spain national team in protest against RFEF president Luis Rubiales.