At least 15 of the 23 players of the Spanish national team included in Tomé's list insist that they do not want to be called

Several of the players of the Spanish football team who last Friday issued a statement demanding profound changes in the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the Rubiales case and the non-consensual kiss to Jenni Hermoso have wanted to make it clear that their position has not changed. And that they will not wear the shirt of La Roja again until they observe a reform of the structures of the federation that, according to them, does not allow them to work in adequate conditions or respect them as women and footballers. This has been expressed by at least 15 of the 23 players included in the list offered by the coach Montse Tomé at 16:30 p.m.

In that note three days ago was not as forceful as the players are now in a new statement issued six hours after the new national coach offered a list of 23 players with 19 of the 39 undersigned from Friday's note.

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Pulse between the federation and the players: Montse Tomé offers a list of 23 players without knowing how many will attend the call

That statement was disseminated on social networks by some of the figures of the last Women's World Cup that Spain won on August 20 in Sydney, such as Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes or Cata Coll, in addition to others who renounced to go to that tournament such as Mapi León or Patri Guijarro, up to a fortnight: with María Pérez, Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle, Misa Rodríguez, Teresa Abelleira, Esther González, Eva Navarro, Oihane Hernández, Amaiur Sarriegi. In the note they reported that they study the legal consequences to which the federation exposes them by including them in a list in which they do not want to be. Only eight of the players summoned by Tomé did not publish any statement: Enith Salon, Laia Aleixandri, the scorer of the final, Olga Carmona, Athenea Del Castillo, María Méndez, Inma Gabarro, Rosa Márquez and Lucía García.

"What was expressed on September 15 makes clear and without any other option to another interpretation our firm will not to be summoned for justified reasons. These statements remain fully valid," they write. In addition, they point out, they have not transmitted to the federation any change of position.

Being also summoned by the coach Tomé, many of those players who have not changed their minds dedicated the hours after the announcement to study the legal consequences they face if they do not attend the call. They could be punished with fines of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros and their license could be revoked, for example.

pic.twitter.com/PQbtX8aZWe

— Alexia Putellas (@alexiaputellas) September 18, 2023

A few minutes before midnight, the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) issued a statement in defense of the players. "After the calls of the Spanish women's teams absolute and U-23 to play the matches of the League of Nations and friendlies, respectively, from the Association of Spanish Footballers we want to express our astonishment at the lack of dialogue on the part of the Royal Spanish Football Federation before the majority position of the players summoned based on arguments that must be respected, " The note pointed out, which continued: "It is not understood how an institution that, as it has declared in recent weeks, intends to begin a new stage open to dialogue and consensus, shows again such a lack of consideration for women's football and the newly proclaimed world champions. "

The AFE also emphasizes a call that was not held in a timely manner and points out "the lack of interest in women's football by making the serious mistake of not communicating the list of selected players in time to their clubs, not complying with the 15 days established by FIFA". And top it off. "This conflict has reached terms that are considered intolerable and that seriously damage the image of Spanish women's football. From AFE we appeal to the RFEF to cease its efforts to pressure the players and consider the reason for the loss of confidence and support by many of the players summoned. "

The players of the national team received multiple expressions of support, including from players of the Swedish national team such as Filippa Angeldahl, one of the members of the next rival of La Roja in the Nations League.

🎙️ Sweden's Filippa Angeldahl, Spain's

🗣️ next opponent "We want them to feel all the support and that other countries support them in any decision they make. If they think they have to boycott the game for something to happen, we support them."

(@iratividal) pic.twitter.com/Kz4rNp5ikA

— Women's Soccer Era (@Erafutbolfem) September 18, 2023

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