Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s all-time leading scorer, was not included in the 23-woman squad for the upcoming matches against Sweden and Switzerland.
Jenni Hermoso, who scored the winning goal for Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final against England in August 2023, has been left out of the national team roster by the new coach Montse Tomé. Tomé said she decided not to call up Hermoso “to protect her” following the controversy surrounding the former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales’ unwanted kiss on Hermoso after the World Cup victory.
Hermoso, however, did not appreciate Tomé’s decision and issued a statement on social media on Monday, questioning the RFEF’s motives and expressing her solidarity with her teammates who have been boycotting the federation.
“Protect me from what? And from whom? We have been searching for weeks – months, even – for protection from the RFEF that never came,” Hermoso wrote. “The people who now ask us to trust them are the same ones who today disclosed the list of players who have asked NOT to be called up.”
20 players who signed a letter refusing to play were called up by Tomé.
Hermoso was one of the 39 players, including 21 of the 23-woman World Cup squad, who signed a joint letter on Friday, demanding “real structural changes” in Spanish soccer and refusing to play in the upcoming Women’s Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland. The players accused the RFEF of “lack of respect, consideration and transparency” and said they would not play until their demands were met.
However, Tomé, who replaced Jorge Vilda as the coach after the World Cup, named 20 players who had signed the letter in her latest squad, which was announced on Monday. Tomé said she respected the players’ decision but hoped they would reconsider and join the team.
“I understand their position and I respect it. I have spoken with them and I have told them that I would like them to be with us,” Tomé said. “I think they are very important for this project and I hope they will change their minds.”
The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation by the RFEF.
Hermoso, however, claimed that Tomé’s squad announcement was a tactic to intimidate and threaten the players with legal repercussions and economic sanctions. She said that nothing has changed in the RFEF despite Rubiales’ resignation and Tomé’s appointment.
“The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions,” Hermoso wrote. “It is yet more irrefutable proof that shows that even today nothing has changed.”
Hermoso also offered her full support to her colleagues who were “forced to react to another unfortunate situation caused by the people who continue to make decisions within the RFEF.” She said that she was proud of her teammates for standing up for their rights and dignity.
“I want to send a message of support and admiration to all my colleagues who today have been forced to react to another unfortunate situation caused by the people who continue to make decisions within the RFEF,” Hermoso wrote. “I am proud of you, proud of us. We are strong, we are united and we will not give up.”
