The Spanish soccer scene is in turmoil, with Jenni Hermoso, a player at the centre of a recent controversy, accusing the country's soccer federation of attempting to intimidate World Cup-winning players. This comes after an incident where she was kissed without consent by former federation president, Luis Rubiales, during the World Cup awards ceremony.
Hermoso and 38 other players had previously stated they would not play for the national team until their demands for significant reforms and a change in leadership within the federation were addressed. However, in a surprising move, the federation's new coach, Montse Tomé, selected 15 of these protesting players for the national team.
Tomé justified her decision to exclude Hermoso from the list, stating it was "as a way to protect her." Hermoso responded with, "Protect me from what?" She further elaborated, "A claim was made stating that the environment within the federation would be safe for my colleagues to rejoin, yet at the same press conference it was announced that they were not calling me as a means to protect me."
The players, taken aback by the call-up, reiterated their intention to continue their boycott. They believe the federation's move is a strategy to divide and manipulate them, potentially threatening them with legal consequences and financial penalties.
Spanish sports law mandates athletes to respond to national team call-ups unless there are valid reasons, such as injuries, preventing them from playing. The players are now evaluating the potential legal implications of not attending the training camp. They argue that the call-up doesn't align with FIFA regulations, and some players, especially those based overseas, might not be able to join in time.
Hermoso expressed her solidarity with her colleagues, stating, "This is why we are fighting and why we are doing it in this way." The players' demands include the resignation of interim president Pedro Rocha and a complete overhaul of the women's team staff.
This controversy comes on the heels of a previous rebellion last year, where 15 players demanded a more professional environment from former coach Jorge Vilda. Spain is scheduled to play Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland in the coming days.
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