Jenni Hermoso will regain the jersey of the Spanish team. Wednesday October 18, coach Montse Tomé decided to call the striker from the Mexican club Pachuca into her team to participate in La Roja’s next matches. Jenni Hermoso had not been selected for the national team since August 20 and the forced kiss of the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, after Spain’s world title in Australia. She could return to the selection on October 27 against Italy, as part of the League of Nations, or during the match against Switzerland four days later.
Following the World Cup, Luis Rubiales was provisionally suspended by the International Football Federation (FIFA), then resigned from his post on September 10. Close to the ex-president, coach Jorge Vilda was dismissed from his position on September 5 and replaced by his deputy, Montse Tomé.
Despite these changes, Jenni Hermoso was not called up during the first meeting of the Spanish selection, at the end of September. “It’s the best way to protect her”explained Montse Tomé at a press conference. “Protect myself from what, or who? »replied the 33-year-old player on social networks.
Her teammates showed their support
In his absence, the La Roja players won 3-2 against Sweden. Before kick-off, the twenty-two players posed behind a common banner bearing the slogan “Se Acabo” (” It’s over “) and proclaiming that the fight of the Spanish internationals is “a global fight” for equality between men and women, in sport and in society.
Luis Rubiales has always maintained that this kiss was consensual and was prohibited by the courts – who opened an investigation for sexual assault – from approaching within 200 meters of the player. Jorge Vilda was indicted by the court investigating the forced kiss of Luis Rubiales. This did not prevent him from finding a position on the sidelines. On Wednesday October 12, he was named head of the Moroccan women’s team, replacing Frenchman Reynald Pedros.