The player who was kissed without her consent by the president of the Spanish soccer federation was selected by her national team on Wednesday.
Jennifer Hermoso is now part of coach Montse Tomé’s squad ahead of Spain’s Nations League matches against Italy and Switzerland later this month.
Hermoso was dropped from the Spanish squad after her country won the Women’s Soccer World Cup, to protect her from the controversy that erupted following Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss during the trophy ceremony .
Spanish state prosecutors formally charged Rubiales with alleged sexual assault and coercion. They also accused him of trying to convince Hermoso and those close to him to come to his defense shortly after the controversy broke out, by downplaying the seriousness of the kiss.
Hermoso and the other Spanish players testified as witnesses in the investigation into Rubiales’ actions.
The latter was eventually forced to resign, and the players ended their boycott of the national team after receiving guarantees from their federation that changes would be made – following, however, the intervention of the Spanish government .
Tomé selected players who had taken part in winning the World Cup, even if they had asked to be excluded as long as their requests for changes within the federation were not heard. Since that time, some leaders of the federation have been dismissed, and a committee including players has been created.
Hermoso, who is 33 and plays for Mexican professional club Pachuca, criticized the federation for ignoring players’ requests not to be selected to represent the country. A player who refuses to report to the Spanish selection risks a fine or suspension.
Spain defeated Sweden 3-2 and Switzerland 5-0 in its first two matches after the World Cup.