Spain call up 15 Women’s World Cup winners but NOT Jenni Hermoso after Rubiales kiss storm

WORLD CUP winners Spain have NOT called up Jenni Hermoso to their squad following the Luis Rubiales kiss saga.

Montserrat Tome has taken over as manager of the Spanish national team following the sacking of Jorge Vilda.

And Tome has included 15 players from the World Cup-winning squad for their games against Sweden and Switzerland.

However, Hermoso has not been included.

At a press conference, Tome said: "We are with Jenni in everything, the best way to protect her is like this."

It comes after Spain's players confirmed last week they will boycott the upcoming two fixtures as they seek change in the Spanish FA.

Of the initial 80 who went on strike, 39 remain unavailable - 21 of the 23 World Cup winners plus 18 more - but 41 changed their stance.

It is understood Spain's players were unaware they were going to be called up until they saw the announcement on social media.

And two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas responded by insisting the players will look into the legality of the RFEF's decision to blindside them with their inclusion in the squad.

She also effectively confirmed the players do not intend to turn up for the start of training camp on Tuesday.

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She : "What is expressed in our statement makes clear and without any option for another interpretation our firm will not to be summoned for justified reasons.

"During the days following that statement, we want to make it known to the public that nothing different from that has been transmitted to any member of the RFEF, so we expressly ask that the information transmitted publicly be rigorous.

"We will study the possible legal consequences to which the RFEF exposes us by putting us on a list from which we had asked not to be summoned.

"The call has not been made in a timely manner, in accordance with the Regulations on the Statute and Transfer of FIFA Players, so we understand that the RFEF is not in a position to require us to attend."

Putellas went on to add: “What was expressed in our statement on September 22, 2023, makes it clear and without any option for another interpretation, our firm desire not to be called up for justified reasons. These statements are still strongly in force.”

The RFEF [Royal Spanish Football Federation] are also threatening legal action if the players don't turn up to camp - which begins on Tuesday.

This could result in the players having their licences suspended.

Spain's striking players believe the departures of Rubiales and Vilda are not enough to have fixed the situation, and that more needs to be done.

Of their victorious World Cup-winning squad, only Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza have not co-signed the statement.

Putellas said earlier this week: "We are asking for changes so no woman, inside or outside of soccer, should ever have to experience again situations of disparagement, disrespect, or abuse.

"We need consensus, courage and leadership from the institutions, please. This is why we will not stop here."

The boycott comes despite Rubiales' eventual resignation in his interview with Piers Morgan this week and Vilda's sacking.

The disgraced pair were both accused of misogyny even before Rubiales kissed Spanish midfielder Hermoso following the final win over England in Sydney.

Vilda, who angered the women's team throughout his eight years in charge, was largely excluded from the celebrations and was removed from his post as pressure mounted on the Spanish FA.

Shameless Rubiales tried to fight on - boldly declaring "I'm not quitting" - before he relented and announced his resignation having already been suspended by Fifa.

Rubiales - who has refused to apologise to the World Cup star - denies Hermoso's claim there was no consent and says there was "no sexual content, no aggression" and that it was a "very common kiss between friends".

The full squad is as follows:

• Goalkeepers : Misa Rodriguez, Cata Coll, Enith Salon
• Defenders : Irene Paredes, Laia Alexandri, Maria Mendez, Oihane Hernandez, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Maria Leon
• Midfielders : Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, Maria Perez, Tere Abelleira, Rosa Marquez
• Forwards : Athenea del Castillo, Esther Gonzalez, Eva Navarro, Mariona Caldentey, Inma Gabarro, Amaiur Sarriegi and Lucía García