‘Tired of being humiliated’: Argentina players walk out

Players say they do not get proper meals and are unable to claim expenses in latest crisis for women’s game in the country

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Four footballers from Argentina’s national women’s team withdrew last week from international duty in a dispute over “humiliating” pay and poor training conditions. The goalkeeper Laurina Oliveros, the midfielder Lorena Benítez, and the defenders Julieta Cruz and Eliana Stábile walked out and called for greater investment in the women’s game.

“We reached a point in which we are tired of the injustices, of not being valued, not being heard and, even worse, being humiliated,” Cruz posted on social media, along with a picture of the squad. “We need improvements for Argentina’s women’s soccer national team, and I am not only talking about finances. I speak about training, having lunch, breakfast.” Their decision came days before back-to-back matches against Costa Rica, games the players said they were unable to claim expenses for because they were being held in Buenos Aires.