
Jenni Hermoso has been left out of Spain Women’s first squad since the World Cup final kiss row which ended with Luis Rubiales’ resignation.
The player has been expelled from the new head coach Montserrat Tome’s first team to face Sweden and Switzerland as a way of protection for her.
Hermoso was kissed on the lips by the then Spanish FA (RFEF) president during the celebrations subsequent to beating England 1-0 on August 26, and went on strike alongside all of her World Cup-winning team-mates in protest.
Rubiales, who was at that point under suspension by FIFA, at long last surrendered his post on September 10, days after Spain head coach Jorge Vilda was also sacked by break RFEF president Pedro Rocha. He was given a restraining order prohibiting him from going inside 200m of Hermoso on Friday.
New head coach Montserrat Tome told journalists she had decided to exclude Hermoso from her first team for her own advantage after nearly 30 days of extraordinary public examination, but promised she would get back to the team in future.
“We stand with Jenni,” she said. “We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.”
On Friday September 15, 21 of the 23 players involved in the tournament – including Hermoso – demanded further change in the RFEF, but did not specify whether they would continue to remain on strike.
“The changes made are not enough for the players to feel safe, where women are respected, where there is support for women’s football and where we can maximise our potential,” they wrote.
Tome, who had previously served as Vilda’s assistant, had been due to name her first squad for the upcoming Nations League double header with Sweden and Switzerland that same day.
She had to postpone that declaration until Monday after the RFEF said Spain’s players had dismissed their efforts to persuade them to get back to the team at that point.
Jorge Vilda Led Spain To Their First Women’s World Cup But Has Now Been Fired
As at now, 15 of the World Cup-winning team have now been called up, with Hermoso absent as well as captain Ivana Andres, Irene Guerrero, Mariona Caldentey, Laia Codina, Alba Redondo, Rocio Galvez and Claudia Zornoza.
“It’s the start of a new phase, the clock is ticking,” said Tome announcing her first squad. “There is nothing behind us and we really want to connect with these players.”
Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, two players who boycotted playing for the national side in protest against Vilda’s methods in 2022, have also received their first call-ups since going on strike.