Spain Midfielder Jenni Hermoso Reveals Startling Truth: No Change at Spanish FA Despite Boycott Saga

Jenni Hermoso criticized the decision to include players in the Spanish women's team who are boycotting, stating that it is evidence that nothing has improved at the RFEF. Despite their vow to boycott international duty, fifteen World Cup winners have been named in the squad for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland.

Three weeks ago, a total of 81 players, including the entire World Cup squad comprising of 23 members, made it clear that they would refuse to represent Spain in future matches as long as Luis Rubiales held the presidency of RFEF. This decision was prompted by Rubiales' controversial behavior at the final, where he kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony. Hermoso has emphasized that she did not give her consent for the kiss.

Hermoso, who was not included in the squad, expressed that the players were taken aback by the selection and had to respond to "another unfortunate situation caused by those individuals making decisions within the RFEF."

The 33-year-old forward stated on X: "The players firmly believe that this is yet another tactic to divide and manipulate us, with the aim of intimidating and threatening us with legal consequences and financial penalties.

It serves as further undeniable evidence that demonstrates that nothing has actually changed even in the present day.

Montse Tome, the new coach of the national team in place of Jorge Vilda, put forth the notion that Hermoso was excluded from the squad due to the overwhelming media scrutiny she had faced over the past month.

"We stand with Jenni ... we believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni," Tome said.

But Hermoso has since asked who she needed protection from.

She questioned, "Why were they claiming today that it would be safe for my colleagues to rejoin the federation's environment, but then at the press conference, they announced that I would not be called, supposedly to protect me? Protect me from what? And protect me from whom?"

Following the selection of the majority of Spain's World Cup-winning squad for upcoming matches on Monday, the players declared their intention to maintain their boycott of the team due to former president Rubiales kissing Hermoso on the lips during the World Cup trophy presentation in Australia.

If the players refuse to play, they may be fined up to £26,000 (€30,000) and have their federation licence suspended for a period of two to 15 years under Spain's Sports Act. Victor Francos, the head of Spain's government national sports agency, stated on SER radio station that if the players fail to appear, the law must be enforced by the government.

The RFEF failed to promptly respond to a comment request outside regular business hours. Earlier on Monday, the federation stated its conviction for "structural changes" and the necessity to determine accountability for the behavior that the players had exposed.