Women’s World Cup: Jenni Hermoso left out of Spain squad ‘to protect her’ after kiss scandal
Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso, who was kissed on the lips by ex-federation president Luis Rubiales after her side won the Women’s World Cup, has not been picked for the first squad named since the scandal erupted.
New Spain head coach Montse Tome said she had talked to Hermoso and decided not to include her in order to “protect her”.
Rubiales’ behaviour caused a huge crisis, with Hermoso insisting she did not consent to the kiss.
It happened during celebrations after the national side beat England 1-0 in the Sydney final on 20 August, the whole World Cup-winning team went on strike.
They called for wide-ranging reforms and new leadership as Rubiales initially refused to resign before later quitting.
Rubiales caused a huge controversy after the kiss which Hermoso insists she did not consent to.
Last Friday, 21 of the 23 players involved in the tournament – including Hermoso – said his resignation was not enough to trigger their return to national-team duty and they demanded further change in the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“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.
That same day, Rubiales was given a restraining order after sexual assault allegations by Hermoso following the kiss.
A judge banned the former president of the Spanish FA from contacting the player or going within 200m of her.
Despite Rubiales eventually stepping down on 10 September, the players said not all of their demands had been met.
However, 15 players who were in the World Cup-winning squad have now been called up by Tome, with Hermoso one of eight absent for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland.
Tome also suggested Hermoso would return to the team in future.
“We stand with Jenni,” Tome told a news conference. “We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.
“I believe this was the best way to protect her.”
Tome, who was an assistant at the Women’s World Cup to ex-coach Jorge Vilda, did not say whether it was Hermoso who asked not to be called up.
Also missing are captain Ivana Andres, Irene Guerrero, Mariona Caldentey, Laia Codina, Alba Redondo, Rocio Galvez and Claudia Zornoza.
Tome said she had spoken to all the World Cup-winning players who she picked and expected them to report to training camp on Tuesday.
She said no player had asked not to be called up, but would not say if they had agreed to end their boycott.