Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners have reportedly informed the Spanish FA (RFEF) that they will not be joining the national team for their upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.
La Roja’s new head coach, Montse Tome will today name her squad for their first two international matches since winning the World Cup, with the side set to take on Sweden and Switzerland, but her squad list has been overshadowed by the revelation.
Tome is set to be without her best players, after reports emerged that the World Cup squad will refuse the call-up due to insufficient structural changes, having informed the FA of their decision.
Among their demands for change before any return, the players are believed to be asking for the removal of secretary general Andreu Camps, head of integrity Miguel García Caba, and those responsible in the communications department for leaking Jenni Hermoso’s false statements after the kiss.
The director and president of women’s football at the Spanish FA, Ana Alvarez and Rafa Del Amo, are also thought to be in the spotlight.
Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners are reportedly going to refuse to play for their national side after meeting yesterday to discuss whether they should accept call ups
New Spain coach Montse Tome is set to name her squad for their first two international matches since winning the World Cup today
It comes after Spainish FA president Luis Rubiales sparked outrage after he forcibly kissed forward Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 Women’s World Cup
The 23 stars from the World Cup campaign were reportedly joined by 12 of the famous ‘Las 15’ – chose to self-exile themselves from an international call up last year – and a number of other Spanish footballers, taking the number up to 41.
A total of 81 players had signed a letter stating that they would reject the call-up, which was released last month by players’ union FutPro, stating that they would reject calls until there was a change in leadership at the Spanish FA.
According to Relevo, a virtual meeting took place at 9pm on Thursday night between the players ‘to assess, as a team, what they would do if they were called up by Tome’.
The report claims the meeting went on for three hours with players ‘presenting all their arguments’ as they considered not returning until ‘there are deeper changes in the structure of the National Team and Spanish Football Association (RFEF).’
Those names included Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, Lola Gallardo, Ainhoa Moraza, Amaiur Sarriegi and Nerea Eizagirre.
The 15 players wrote to the Spanish FA claiming they would not be available for selection while Vilda remained in his position. But the RFEF issued a strongly-worded statement in response, stating that the selected players had committed a ‘very serious infraction’ by refusing to play for the country.
The group of players who were involved in yesterday’s meeting will, according to Relevo, ‘communicate their decision to the Spanish FA together on Friday.’
It adds: ‘The players want to be forceful with their actions and convey the reasons to the federative entity.’
One FA staff member that is expected to be part of the players’ demands is head of integrity Miguel García Caba
Hermoso filed formal complaint against Rubiales last week, describing the kiss as a ‘sexist act’ that happened without her consent
Rubiales (left) was reluctant to resign but has subsequently announced he will be leaving his post in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan (right)
‘Their main arguments revolve around the treatment received by the integrity area, the communication, marketing and football departments,’ Relevo states.
‘In the latter, the players do not trust, despite their attempts to convince them of a desire for changes that have not occurred, in Rafa del Amo, president of women’s football in the RFEF – despite having submitted his resignation -, and Ana Álvarez, director.’
The outlet states: ‘The players would not return to the current leaders (of the Spanish FA)’
According to Relevo, the lack of sensitivity given to Jenni Hermoso, the pressures she received from Rubiales and the Spanish FA were decisive factors the squad have used to make their decision.
It comes after former Spain FA president Luis Rubiales announced his resignation last week after he sparked outrage forcefully kissing Spain star Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Members of Spain’s World Cup winning side will make their position clear on Friday and will not accept call ups until ‘there are deeper changes in the structure of the National Team and Spanish Football Association (RFEF).’
The ‘kissgate scandal’ has sparked protests and seen many players voice their support for Hermoso including England’s Lionesses. FIFA had also initially handed Rubiales a 90-day suspension and are now pushing to ban him for longer.
Today, the 46-year-old former president has been summoned to Madrid’s Audiencia Nacional where he will appear before Judge Francisco de Jorge to face sexual assault charges.
It comes after the unrelenting president reportedly refused to resign amid mounting pressure and calls to quit.
Former Spain women’s coach Vilda was also sacked from his position last week and claimed his dismissal was ‘unfair’.
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