The players have still not publicly confirmed that they will return to the selection, despite their summons by the new coach, Montse Tomé, on Monday.
Fifteen of the 23 Spanish world champions, the majority on strike since the Rubiales affair, were nevertheless called up, Monday September 18, for the next Nations League matches by the new coach Montse Tomé, who left Jenni aside Hermoso for “protect her”. On the other hand, the players have still not publicly declared that they agree to return to the selection, despite the resignation of former Spanish football boss Luis Rubiales and the dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda.
“The players are professionals and I am sure they will do their job well, they have been doing it for a long time”declared Montse Tomé while unveiling his first list. “I know they will be with us tomorrow”she assured, without being able to give additional guarantees.
Mapi León and Patri Guijarro, not selected for the World Cup and part of the “fifteen rebels” who had already demanded changes in the working methods of the national team a year ago, were recalled. In total, 39 players, including 21 of the 23 Spaniards crowned in Sydney, announced Friday in a press release that the conditions were not met for them to play again in the national team and had called for a total overhaul of the Spanish football authorities.
Jenni Hermose “protected”
Among the signatories are double Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati. They are demanding more changes at different levels of the federation (RFEF), including the resignation of several members who were part of Luis Rubiales’ team, as well as the “restructuring” of the RFEF organization chart, from the general secretariat to the marketing department. 19 of them are part of the list presented on Monday.
Concerning Jenni Hermoso, Montse Tomé declared having spoken to her, without revealing the content of their discussion, before ensuring that not selecting her was, according to her, “the best way to protect it”. “We count on Jenni, I have worked with her for five years”she added, wishing “open a new stage” of Spanish women’s football.
A few hours before the coach spoke, the Spanish Federation had reiterated its intention to carry out “structural changes” after the Rubiales affair, urging the 39 internationals who refuse to return to the selection to “participate in this change”. A formula taken up by Montse Tomé at a press conference. La Roja must face Sweden on Friday and Switzerland next week in the Nations League. She will play for the first time with a star on her jersey, but without guarantee that it will be worn by those who won this star in August.