Pedro Rocha accompanies the national team players at the AFE Awards Gala

The Spanish national football team received the Sports Career Achievement Award presented by the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE), at the second edition of the AFE Awards, the presentation ceremony was held this Monday at the Real Casino de Madrid. The ceremony was attended, on behalf of the RFEF, by the president of its Management Committee, Pedro Rocha, who accompanied the player who received the award, María Pérez.

 When she took to the stage, the international player highlighted the merit of winning a World Cup, and expressed her gratitude for the support of the whole football world. "Women's football is coming on in leaps and bounds, and that helps us to continue fighting for what we want, which is equality", insisted María Pérez.

One could not help but notice another star name, the Spanish internationals shared the honour of the Sports Career Achievement Award with another great of Spanish football, David Silva, winner of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. A few minutes earlier, Silva had spoken words of great affection for the women's national team, for which María Pérez expressed her sincere gratitude.

During the gala, different players from across the full range of the Spanish football’s ranks were recognised. Pedro Rocha presented his awards to Carlos Vicente (Racing de Ferrol) and Pedro León (Real Murcia), winners for their performance in the First Federation; a moment he shared with Raúl González Blanco, who presented the trophy to Sergio Arribas, in the same awards category.

Proof of the dedication to work towards unity

The presence of Pedro Rocha as a representative of the Royal Spanish Football Federation is also part of the normalisation of institutional relations with different governing bodies of Spanish football, a normalisation that has been taking place continuously and clearly in recent weeks. It is a sign of the RFEF's unequivocal dedication to work towards unity in the world of football.

Pedro Rocha pointed out that "it is essential to maintain a fluid relationship between those of us who, in one way or another, are responsible for the smooth running of our football". "I insist on the need for cordiality and working together to prevail for the good of our sport, at a time when we have many challenges ahead of us and society is asking us to focus on what unites us", said Rocha, minutes before the AFE Awards gala, which he attended together with the president of the host association, David Aganzo.

As a result of this desire, during the month of October, the president of the RFEF Management Committee took part in the LaLiga Assembly and in the Liga F Assembly, respectively, and in both cases he stressed the need to "build bridges" and to open regular channels of communication in order to benefit of Spanish football.