The new coach of Spain’s women’s team has included 15 of the World-Cup-winning players in her Nations League squad even though they have not confirmed an end to their boycott of the national team.
Jenni Hermoso, who was kissed on the lips by former federation president Luis Rubiales, was not selected.
Spain coach Montse Tome said she talked to Hermoso and decided not to include her as a way to protect her.
The kissing controversy led to an institutional crisis and Rubiales’s eventual resignation.
The new coach, who was an assistant at the Women’s World Cup to former coach Jorge Vilda, did not say whether it was Hermoso who asked not to be called up.
Tome’s squad includes 20 of the players who signed a statement refusing to play for the national team unless their demands for change were met.
She said she talked to the players selected and expected them to report to training camp on Tuesday — though some players have said the first they knew of their selection upon seeing it on television.
Under Spanish sports law, athletes are required to answer the call of national teams unless there are circumstances that impede them from playing, such as an injury.
Spain play Nations League games against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on September 26.
Monday’s squad announcement came after the federation released a statement in which it publicly reiterated to the players its commitment to structural changes in the institution.
Among the players’ demands was for interim president Pedro Rocha to also resign, and for the women’s team staff to be overhauled.
The federation had said Rocha would lead “a process of transition” until the federation can hold elections.
AAP
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