MADRID (AP) — Some of Spain’s World Cup-winning players started reporting to training camp on Tuesday despite their reluctance to be called up for the national team while advocating for changes in the soccer federation.
Local media captured the arrival of several players at the hotel in Madrid where the team will be staying. This comes after new coach Montse Tomé ignored their decision to abstain from playing until their demands for reform within the federation were met.
In a statement on Monday, the players expressed surprise at the call-up and stated that they did not intend to end their boycott. However, not showing up could result in a violation of a Spanish sports law that requires athletes to answer the call of national teams, unless there are extenuating circumstances such as injury.
This incident is the latest setback in Spanish soccer, which has been marred by a crisis triggered by the former federation president Luis Rubiales kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory last month.
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Hermoso, who stated that she did not consent to the kiss during the awards ceremony, accused the federation of trying to intimidate the players by picking them for the national team despite their request not to be called up.
In an early Tuesday statement, Hermoso declared that the federation’s decision to select almost half of the 39 players who vowed not to play for the national team as a form of protest was “undeniable proof” that “nothing has changed.”
While the players made it clear that they would not return until their demand for significant change and new leadership within the federation was met, Tomé included 15 of the players who helped Spain secure its first Women’s World Cup title last month.
Tomé did not include Hermoso in the list “to protect her,” according to her statement.
Hermoso questioned this decision, asking, “Protect me from what?” She pointed out that it was stated that the federation had created a safe environment for her colleagues to rejoin, yet at the same press conference, they announced that she was not called up in order to protect her.
Tomé confirmed that she had spoken to Hermoso and the other players, expressing confidence that they would all report to training camp on Tuesday.
The squad announcement, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed due to the lack of agreement with the players.
Miquel Iceta, Spain’s acting minister of culture and sport, pledged on Tuesday that the government would attempt to find a resolution to the conflict.
“We urge the federation to address the shortcomings of this irregular selection and to change the organizational structures so that it becomes a secure, competitive, and professional environment to which the players and all Spaniards are entitled,” Iceta told local media. “What they cannot do is continue to perpetrate injustices and harm players who have given their all and brought home a world title for the first time in history.”
The government is currently in conversation with the players, and the president of the country’s sports council, the highest sports authority within the government, is expected to meet with them later today.
On Monday, the federation released a statement reaffirming its commitment to implementing structural changes.
“The same people who are now asking us to trust them are the ones who revealed the list of players who have requested NOT to be called up,” Hermoso said. “The players are convinced that this is yet another tactic to divide and manipulate, to intimidate and threaten us with legal and economic penalties.”
On Monday, the players mentioned that they would consider the potential legal consequences of not reporting to the training camp but believed that the federation could not compel them to join the team. They argued that the call-up did not adhere to current FIFA regulations, and it would be difficult for some players, especially those abroad, to arrive in time.
“Once again, I express my full support for my colleagues who were taken by surprise and forced to respond to another unfortunate situation caused by the people making decisions within (the federation),” Hermoso stated. “This is why we are fighting, and this is how we are doing it.”
Among the players’ demands are the resignation of interim president Pedro Rocha and an overhaul of the women’s team staff.
Spain is scheduled to play Nations League matches against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on September 26. The team planned to practice in Valencia instead of Madrid before traveling to Sweden.
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