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Jenni Hermoso has been left out of Spain’s squad for Nations League fixtures against Sweden and Switzerland.
Ever since they won the World Cup last month, it has been a tumultuous and dramatic period for Spanish football after disgraced former president Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips in the aftermath of their final victory over England.
He eventually resigned from his position, although he is battling charges of sexual assault and coercion, while unpopular former Jorge Vilda was sacked from his position.
There was more drama last week when 39 players signed a statement insisting they will make themselves unavailable for selection until changes are made in the structure of the national team and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). This came after total of 81 players had signed a letter last month stating that they would reject the call-up until there was a change in leadership at the Spanish FA.
However, new manager Montse Tome has named her squad for the international break and included 15 of the World Cup winners, but not Hermoso.
The Spanish FA has called up 15 of their World Cup-winning squad – but not Jenni Hermoso
Speaking after her squad was announced, Tome said: ‘We are with Jenni and with all the players. As for Jenni, we felt the best way to protect her in this squad was in this way.’
Tomse had been set to announce her squad on Friday before the players released the aforementioned statement which read: ‘The changes made are not enough for the players to feel safe, where women are respected, where there is support for women’s football and where we can maximise our potential.
‘The players of the Spanish team have, at all times, been open to dialogue, seeking to convey clear and well-argued reasons that we believe are necessary to be able to carry out our work at the highest level with the respect we deserve.
‘The specified changes to the RFEF are based on zero tolerance for those people who, from a position within the RFEF, have had, incited, hidden or applauded attitudes that go against the dignity of women.
‘We firmly believe that strong changes are required in leadership positions in the RFEF and specifically, in the area of women’s football.
‘We want to end this statement by expressing that the players of the Spanish team are professionals, and what fills us most with pride is wearing the shirt of our national team and leading our country to the highest positions.’
‘We believe that it is time to fight to show that these situations and practices have no place in football or society, that the current structure needs changes and we do it so that the next generations can have equality in football and at the level that we all deserve.’
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