MADRID, 21 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The ‘United for Soccer’ candidacy, led by former soccer player Ainhoa Tirapu and former RFEF director of women’s soccer Dolores Martelli, has withdrawn from the electoral race for the presidency of the Professional Women’s Soccer League after failing to obtain sufficient endorsements .
According to the candidacy itself, announced on March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day, the bet has not obtained the necessary support from at least four clubs to continue opting for the direction of women’s football.
“Today, ‘United for football’ takes a step back by understanding that the clubs have chosen to continue along the same path they have followed until now to begin their professional career,” says the statement issued by the candidacy.
“Football taught me both to win and to lose and above all it taught me to learn from defeats. An exciting path in which we have put everything on our side is coming to an end, but the result has not been what we expected. thanks to Dolores for giving me courage and confidence, and to all the people who were excited about this project. I continue to be clear that the world is for the brave and we have been,” said Ainhoa Tirapu.
Tirapu, twice League champion with Athletic Club and 46 caps, has a degree in Chemistry and began her career at SD Lagunak. Two seasons later, she joined the Athletic Club with whom she established herself and she played from 2005 to 2020. Currently she is still linked to the Biscayan club as a goalkeeper coach.
Dolores Martelli has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and sporting events. In particular, she has dedicated the last five years entirely to working and developing women’s football. First at Iberdrola, as head of women’s football sponsorship, and later at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as director of Women’s Football.