Two players from Rayo Vallecano's women's team had to be attended on the pitch by doctors from their rivals in Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Barcelona.
Rayo strikers Isadora Freitas and Iris Ponciano had to be treated on the pitch by Barcelona's doctors at the Johan Cruyff stadium with their own team not having a doctor present.
Brazilian forward Isadora was injured during a collision and substituted in the 46th minute before being taken to a nearby hospital for further check-ups after suffering a head trauma. Her teammate Iris was later attended by Barca doctors as she struggled with a shoulder injury before being replaced in the 73rd minute.
Last month, the Spanish Players' Union (AFE) reported Rayo to the Department for Wdork and Social Security for not having a doctor with the team in a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the top women's league.
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Rayo players reported that their existing working situation is not "fitting for a first-division club" and have requested that AFE take action to "defend their rights." As per the collective agreement signed in February 2020, all clubs must have a plan for labour risk prevention that in both cases has not been applied.
The Spanish government declared in June that the women's first-division Primera Iberdrola is professional. However, seven months have passed since and the process is blocked -- 12 of the 16 clubs that make up the league put forward a proposal of statutes to Spain's government in July yet no agreement has been reached. Due to the agreement not being completed, Rayo can still go to games without having a doctor with the team.
The Association of Women's Soccer Clubs (ACFF), created in 2015, recently stated that they support the players' stance and have called for a solution to be reached now that those who voted in favour are willing to include proposals from the four clubs that had opposed the statutes in order to "unblock the process."
The players, meanwhile, have blamed both the clubs for their failure to reach an understanding and the government for a lack of leadership and support.