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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

Bonmatí ‘has to believe’ change will happen after Rubiales conviction

Aitana Bonmatí in action for Spain against Belgium in the Nations League
Aitana Bonmatí says she hopes women will be ‘respected better as footballers’ after the Luis Rubiales conviction. Photograph: José Miguel Fernández/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Aitana Bonmatí said she “has to believe” that change will happen and that the fight of Jenni Hermoso and Spain players has not been in vain, after the conviction of Luis Rubiales for sexual assault.

Speaking in the buildup to Wednesday’s game against England at Wembley, the first meeting of the two sides since Spain’s 1-0 victory in that World Cup final in Sydney, the two‑time Ballon d’Or winner – when asked whether she thought change would happen – said: “I have to believe. I believe this case happened for a ­reason and makes us more respected as women. People will ­realise that it has been important, and it doesn’t need to happen any more.”

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