Jenni Hermoso Exposes Spanish FA: Shocking Revelations about National Team Selection
Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso remains on strike despite being called up to the national team; her absence from the squad, along with seven other World Cup-winning players, raises concerns about the Spanish Football Association's commitment to addressing the players' grievances
Jenni Hermoso has accused the Spanish football federation of using 'intimidation' and 'threats' following the organization's decision to call up several players who had previously declined to join the women's national team.
Despite winning the Women's World Cup, Hermoso did not make the cut for Spain's initial squad selection. However, the governing body included 15 of Hermoso's championship-winning teammates in the 23-player group that was announced on Monday, despite their previous boycott announcement.
Following the controversy caused by RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissing midfielder Hermoso on the lips during Spain's World Cup final victory over England on August 20, Spain's new head coach, Montse Tome, mentioned during a press conference that Hermoso had been excluded from the latest squad as a precautionary measure for her own safety. Additionally, there was a further development on Monday evening when the players issued a statement declining their call-ups.
Hermoso subsequently issued a statement on social media, asserting that the RFEF has shown no signs of change following Rubiales' resignation.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the 33-year-old shared: "We have dedicated weeks, even months, seeking internal support from the RFEF, which unfortunately never materialized.
Those who request our trust are the very ones unveiling a roster that includes players who explicitly declined their call-up.
The players firmly believe this is yet another tactic aimed at creating discord and controlling us through the use of legal consequences and financial penalties.
This serves as further undeniable evidence that demonstrates nothing has changed, even in present times.
She emphasized, "I want to clarify something: Today, a statement was made claiming that the environment within the federation would be secure for my teammates to return. However, during the same press conference, it was announced that I was not being called as a way of protecting me."
"Protect me from what? And from whom?
I want to reiterate my unwavering support for my colleagues who have been taken aback and compelled to respond to yet another unfortunate situation caused by those individuals who persist in making decisions within the RFEF."
This is the reason we are engaged in this fight and the approach we have chosen.
A collective of 81 players, which includes all 23 individuals comprising the World Cup squad, conveyed their refusal to continue representing Spain as long as Rubiales continues to serve as the president of RFEF due to his conduct during the final.
After succumbing to mounting pressure, Rubiales eventually stepped down from his position last week. However, a group of 39 players, which includes 21 members of Spain's victorious World Cup team, issued a statement on Friday asserting that his resignation alone did not warrant their immediate return to national-team obligations. Highlighting an overarching concern, the players expressed that the issues within the RFEF extended well beyond Rubiales, leaving them still feeling unsettled and unable to resume their roles.
Rubiales has received a ban preventing him from approaching Hermoso within a 200-meter radius. The national court in Madrid took into account a sexual assault complaint, which the 46-year-old denies. As a result, Tome had to postpone the naming of her squad, initially scheduled for Friday.
Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, who were left out of the Spanish World Cup squad for raising concerns about former manager Jorge Vilda, have been included in Monday's lineup. Tome assured that despite her exclusion, Spain still has faith in Hermoso.
"We express our solidarity with Jenni," she stated during a press conference. "We firmly believe that the most effective approach to safeguard her is through this method, yet we rely on Jenni's involvement.
"This marks the initiation of a fresh chapter, and time is of the essence. We have left everything behind and are genuinely eager to establish a connection with these players."
