(Las Rozas de Madrid) Player Jenni Hermoso was recalled to the Spanish selection on Wednesday, for the first time since the affair of the forced kiss of the former president of the Football Federation Luis Rubiales, the evening of the world coronation of the “Roja.”
The 33-year-old, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, was selected by new Spanish coach Montse Tomé to play against Italy on October 27 and Switzerland on the 31st in the Nations League, according to the published list by the Federation.
Montse Tomé had decided on September 20, for his first two matches at the head of the Women’s Roja, already in the Nations League, not to call up the Spanish star, believing that this was “the best way to protect “.
This choice was criticized by several players, including Jenni Hermoso, who regretted not being called up. “Protect me from what, or who? “, asked the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player.
Questioned at a press conference on Wednesday, Montse Tomé defended her choice, ensuring that she had contacted Jenni Hermoso in September.
“We thought it was the best option” because “attention was focused” on the Rubiales case. “But now it has calmed down and we hope it will continue and we can talk more about football,” she argued.
“My technical team and I spoke with her, I felt that she was doing better,” continued the coach. “We can’t wait to see her, start training and think about Italy and Switzerland,” she insisted.
In addition to Jenni Hermoso, three other world champions return to the Spanish team: Esther González, Ivana Andrés and Salma Paralluelo, who were not selected in September due to injuries.
Mapi León and Patri Guijarro, who had refused to join the selection during the previous call-up in order to protest against the management of the Rubiales affair by the federation, were however not selected this time.
“They” then “gave us their opinion, which I respect, but we have not had any news since,” justified Montse Tomé, saying she now wanted to “think about football” and leave the controversy behind.
On August 20, after the world title of “Roja” in Sydney, Luis Rubiales surprised Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth.
The former strongman of Spanish football, who always claimed that this kiss was consensual, ended up resigning under pressure and was banned by the courts, who indicted him for “sexual assault”, from approach within 200 meters of the player.
The forced kiss scandal, which caused international outrage, also led the Spanish federation to dismiss several of its executives, including coach Jorge Vilda, close to Luis Rubiales, replaced by Montse Tomé.
Goalkeepers: Cata Coll (FC Barcelona), Misa Rodríguez (Real Madrid), Enith Salón (Valencia CF).
Défenseuses: Laia Aleixandri (Manchester City/ENG), Irene Paredes (FC Barcelone), Ona Batlle (FC Barcelone), María Méndez (Levante), Oihane Hernández (Real Madrid), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Ivana Andrés (Real Madrid ).
Milieu de terrain : Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona), Aitana Bonmati (FC Barcelona), Tere Abelleira (Real Madrid), Anna Torrodá (Levante), Maite Oroz (Real Madrid), Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca/MEX).
Attaquantes: Esther González (Gotham/USA), Lucía García (Manchester United/ENG), Amaiur Sarriegi (Real Sociedad), Mariona Caldentey (FC Barcelona), Salma Paralluelo (FC Barcelona), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid) and Inma Gabarro (FC Seville).