Jenni Hermoso has expressed her belief that the recent decision to summon players who are currently boycotting the Spanish women’s team is indicative of the fact that there has been no change at the country’s federation (RFEF), even after the resignation of its president in the wake of the Women’s World Cup kiss scandal.
Earlier today, most of Spain’s World Cup winning squad was selected for upcoming games, but the players have confirmed that they will continue their boycott, which was initiated after Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony in Australia.
If the players refuse the call-up, they could face fines of up to 30,000 euros and the suspension of their federation license for a period of two to 15 years under Spain’s Sports Act. Victor Francos, the head of Spain’s government national sports agency, has stated that if the players do not attend, “the government must apply the law”.
The players were “caught off guard” by the call-ups, according to Hermoso, who was not selected for the squad, and were compelled to respond to “another unfortunate situation caused by the people who continue to make decisions within the RFEF.”
Hermoso replied by slamming the FA’s explanation for her absence in a lengthy social media retort where she labelled the decision as ‘another strategy of division and manipulation’.
‘Protect me from what?’ Hermoso began her damning statement with.’
‘Let’s be clear; a claim was made today stating that the environment within the federation would be safe for my colleagues to rejoin yet at the same press conference it was announced that they were not calling me as a means to protect me.
‘Protect me from what? And from whom? We have been searching for weeks – months, even – for protection from the RFEF that never came.
‘The people who now ask us to trust them are the same ones who today disclosed the list of players who have asked not to be called up’ said Hermoso.
‘The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions. It is yet more irrefutable proof that shows that even today, nothing has changed.
‘I want to once again show my full support to my colleagues who have been caught by surprise and forced to react to another unfortunate situation caused by the people who continue to make decisions within the RFEF.
‘This is why we are fighting and why we are doing it in this way,’ she added.
Hermoso has been in the spotlight since she was kissed on the medal podium at the World Cup final by the now-resigned Spanish FA president, Rubiales.
