Spain's World Cup-winning rebels report for training under sanctions threat
Misa Rodriguez (24), Olga Carmona (23), Oihane Hernandez (23), Eva Navarro (22) and Tere Abelleira (23), who had previously said they would not play for the team until further changes were applied at the Spanish football federation (RFEF), arrived at a hotel near Madrid's airport.
The five were named in the Spain squad ahead of a Nations League match against Sweden on Friday by new coach Montse Tome (41) despite signing a statement last week calling for more heads to roll at the RFEF beyond former President Luis Rubiales (46) and former coach Jorge Vilda (42).
Jenni Hermoso (33), the player at the centre of the scandal after Rubiales grabbed her head and kissed her on her lips, sparking fury over sexist attitudes toward women footballers, on Monday accused the RFEF of trying to divide and manipulate the players.
She said they did this by threatening them with legal and economic consequences if they refused to play.
Should they refuse the call-up, the players could face fines of up 30,000 euros and the suspension of their federation licence for two to 15 years, according to Spain's Sports Act.
Two sources close to players said they were expecting the whole squad to report in view of the threat of sanctions.
Asked as she arrived at the hotel whether she was happy to have been selected for the team, Misa Rodriguez replied: "No."
Players including Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas (29) on Monday shared a statement on social media platform X that said the players had told the RFEF they did not want to be considered for selection and that they were "studying the possible legal consequences we are exposed to by the RFEF by putting us on a list to which we had asked not to be selected."
Hermoso was not on the squad list announced by new coach Tome on Monday, which included 15 of the 23 cup-winning players.
Twenty of those on Monday's squad list had signed a statement on Friday saying they were not satisfied with the departure of Rubiales and coach Vilda and called for more sackings at the federation.
Hermoso, who according to Tome was not selected in order to protect her, on Monday offered her support to teammates "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."
Victor Francos, head of the state-run national sports agency, will meet the players in Valencia later on Tuesday to learn firsthand about their complaints and try to mediate.
"Yesterday we made ourselves look ridiculous as a country," Francos told La Sexta TV.
If someone felt uncomfortable and did not want to be part of the squad then it should be "normal" to let them make that choice without a sanction, he told state broadcaster TVE.
On Monday, Francos said the government would have no option but to apply the sanctions as stipulated in the law.
"If the players do not show up, the government must apply the law. I'm sorry to say so, but we must do what we have to do," Francos told SER radio station.
Spain is set to make its debut in the Women's Nations League against Sweden in Gothenburg on Friday before playing against Switzerland in Cordoba on September 26th. The Nations League will determine which teams from Europe qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The government supports the players' push for changes in the RFEF but also wants Spain to qualify for the Olympic Games, spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"We want there to be changes, for them to be quick, for the confidence of the players to be restored and, most importantly, what we want is to see them play and see them win," Rodriguez said.
Hermoso, who according to Tome was not selected in order to protect her, on Monday offered her support to team mates "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."