“We believe this is the best way to protect it.” For example, the new coach of the Spanish national team justified on Monday the absence of Jenni Hermoso in the fifteen-man selection for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the footballers reached an agreement for the players to return to play for Spain, following the controversial kiss between Luís Rubiales and Jenni Hermoso, after the Women’s World Cup final on August 20 in Australia.
The new selector Montse Tomé believes that “a new phase begins” in the team that defends the colors of Spain in women’s football.
Today’s call-up involved 15 of the world champions, after 21 of the 23 resigned following the Luis Rubiales ‘controversy’.
Tomé, who was assistant to coach Jorge Vilda, was fired in the middle of a restructuring process after Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso. Today he announced his first list, with fifteen returnees who had admitted they were unavailable.
“Yes, I have spoken to the players, about professional aspects. What has been said remains between us,” said the selector.
The list for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland includes names like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, two of the big figures, but also Athenea del Castillo, the only active champion who had not declared himself unavailable (Claudia Zornoza withdrew withdrew from the selection permanently), and also Mapi León and Patri Guijarro, who had missed the World Cup.
In the opposite directionthe captain of the team that won the tournament, Jenni Hermoso, was left out, following the ‘unrest’ that arose in Spanish football, when the non-consensual kiss of the then President of the Federation (RFEF) during the title celebrations was denounced.
“Everything that has happened these days is very unpleasant. That is why we stand by their side and follow their feelings about what they have experienced. I am respectful and want to be with the players as soon as possible, to be able to prepare at the games. This surprised them, but I am fortunate to be surrounded by very professional people,” said Tomé.
However, Rubiales was suspended, resigned as president and is under the eye of justice, both sporting and civil, with changes also in the federation structure, starting with the departure of Vilda, a matter precipitated by the captain’s complaint.
“We stand with Jenni, and with all the players, in everything. The best way to help them is to be close to them and listen to them. We wanted to protect Hermoso in the best way, and this was it. We count on Jenni, I worked with her for five years and still played against her,” explains Montse Tomé.
With the exception of Hermoso, the team only counts absences due to injuries, and not due to unavailability or other factors related to the ‘controversy’.
“No player has asked me not to be called up. (…) I have worked with Jorge Vilda, but I am not Jorge Vilda. The players know me, I know what they think of me. I feel good and prepared,” the new head coach explained, which was presented today before the list was released and highlighted his support for Hermoso at several points during the press conference.
Before the list was announced in Las Rozas, the RFEF had issued a statement urging the world champions to “join the change” it intends to bring about within the organization and in Spanish football, making this “a safe environment” is guaranteed. yield.
“It is clear that the federation, society and the players share the same objective: renewal and the beginning of a new phase in which football will benefit enormously from this entire process,” the document said.
A total of 39 players, including almost all world champions, demanded more change from the RFEF and declared they were unavailable to return unless new conditions were met, in a manifesto published last week.
Of the 23 summoned, 20 had signed the document.
Recall that the Spanish players maintained their dismissal from the national team, despite the resignation of the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after the kiss on the lips with Hermoso, after Spain became world champions in women’s football.
The Spanish internationals only responded to the call if structural changes took place in the federation. This Monday they reached an agreement with the RFEF.
Spain won the FIFA World Cup, which took place this year in New Zealand and Australia and the final of which was marked by the kiss on the mouth that the then RFEF president, Luis Rubiales, gave to player Jenni Hermoso at the stadium during the victory celebrations from Sydney.
Jeni Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual, contrary to Rubiales’ claims.
Rubiales’ behavior earned him the opening of disciplinary proceedings by the Spanish Administrative Sports Court and FIFA, which suspended him from office for 90 days.
The player in turn filed a complaint in court alleging sexual assault by Rubiales, who initially refused to resign but eventually resigned from his position.
Source: DN
