Let’s revisit the cream of the crop from a stellar year.

New coach Montse Tome called up 15 of the Women's World Cup winners, most of whom had said they did not want to play for their country until more changes had been made at the Spanish football federation (RFEF)

Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata read out a statement on behalf of the entire team congratulating their female counterparts on "a historic" achievement.

"After what has happened this week I would like to convey my sadness as a person, as a father of three daughters, as a husband and as a footballer" at what has happened around "our football and around the Spanish women's national team", Iniesta wrote on his social networks.

In a statement issued in the early hours the federation said it would take legal action to defend Rubiales and said it would show there have been lies about what happened by Hermoso or people speaking for her. The statement on the Royal Spanish Football Federation website did not say what the legal action would consist of.

In a statement released by women players' union Futpro, Hermoso and 55 other players said they would not play for the country again "if the current leadership continues" at the Spanish football federation

Rubiales refused to quit earlier on Friday, fuelling anger among players and government ministers who decried his actions as unacceptable misogynist behaviour

Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday apologised for kissing star player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup.