Jenni Hermoso absent as Spain name up majority of World Cup successful squad
J
enni Hermoso has not been included in Spain’s first squad since lifting the Women’s World Cup however 15 of her title-winning team-mates have been referred to as up regardless of saying a boycott final month.
A gaggle of 81 gamers, together with all 23 members of the World Cup squad, indicated three weeks in the past that they’d not play for Spain once more whereas Luis Rubiales remained Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) president because of his behaviour on the ultimate.
Rubiales prompted an enormous controversy after kissing midfielder Hermoso on the lips through the medal ceremony following the crew’s 1-0 victory over England. Hermoso insists she didn’t consent to the kiss.
“We stand with Jenni,” new head coach Montse Tome instructed a press convention. “We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.
“It’s the beginning of a brand new section, the clock is ticking. There is nothing behind us and we actually need to join with these gamers.”
Amid increasing pressure, Rubiales finally resigned from his post last week but 39 players, including 21 of Spain’s World Cup winners, released a statement on Friday saying that was not enough to trigger their return to national-team duty.
The players said they were not yet “in a protected place” to return and that the problems at the RFEF ran far deeper than Rubiales.
Rubiales has been banned from going within 200m of Hermoso as the national court in Madrid considered a complaint of sexual assault.
However, new Spain coach Tome – who had been due to name her squad on Friday after replacing the sacked Jorge Vilda – has now included 15 of the world champions in her 23-player squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland.
It is not clear whether those players will accept their call-ups.
Tome had been due to name her squad on Friday but the RFEF said the announcement had been “delayed to a brand new time to be confirmed”.
Barcelona’s Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro – who weren’t included in Spain’s World Cup squad after signing a letter protesting towards Vilda – have been included.
Additional reporting from PA