Jenni Hermoso, the prominent Spanish footballer, has expressed her disappointment with the Spanish Football Association (FA) for leaving her out of the squad. The FA cited the reason as the need to protect Hermoso from intense media attention she had received in the past month.
Spain is scheduled to play Nations League games against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on September 26.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Jenni Hermoso criticized the FA’s decision, stating that it is “irrefutable proof” that “nothing has changed.” This statement comes in the wake of a controversy where Hermoso claimed she did not consent to a kiss by former federation president Luis Rubiales during a World Cup awards ceremony last month.
According to Spanish sports law, athletes are required to answer the call of their national teams unless there are circumstances that impede them from playing, such as an injury. Despite nearly half of the 39 players who had initially protested and refused to play for the national team being called up, they are now studying possible legal consequences of not reporting to the training camp. They argue that the call-up was not made in accordance with current FIFA regulations, and some players, especially those abroad, may not be able to show up in time.
Hermoso and other players believe that this move by the FA is an attempt to divide and manipulate them and to intimidate with the threat of legal repercussions and economic sanctions.
Montse Tome, who has replaced Jorge Vilda as the coach of the national team, defended the decision, saying, “We stand with Jenni … we believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.”
Hermoso responded to this by asking, “Protect me from what? And from whom?”
The situation has deepened the crisis within the Spanish women’s national team, with players expressing distrust in the FA’s commitment to structural changes.
In the midst of this controversy, the Spanish women’s football team remains divided, with Hermoso’s omission and the ongoing dispute casting a shadow over the team’s preparations and morale.
The future of Spanish women’s football appears uncertain as players and the FA continue to clash over various issues, including player safety and the handling of allegations.
Note: This article is based on the latest developments in Spanish women’s football and the controversy surrounding Jenni Hermoso’s omission from the squad.