Football: the striking Spanish world champions contest their call-up to the national team

A sword in the water for the new coach of the Spanish team, Montse Tomé. Inducted in place of the disputed Jorge Vilda, the former assistant of the latter had summoned this Monday 15 of the 23 world champions in his first list. They had all signed a statement on September 15 in which they made themselves unavailable for the national team despite the suspension of Luis Rubiales, president of the Federation, and the replacement of Jorge Vilda, calling for stronger and deeper measures to change women's football in their country. At the origin of the crisis, the forced kiss of the resigning president on the number 10 of the selection, Jennifer Hermoso, on the evening of the final of the World Cup.

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— Alexia Putellas (@alexiaputellas) September 18, 2023

Their reaction to this summons was not long in coming. In a statement published on Monday evening on social networks by all the players concerned, they explain that "what is expressed in our statement makes clear and without any option for any other possible interpretation our firm desire not to be called for justified reasons. These declarations remain in full force. »

"We wish to make it known publicly that nothing different has been transmitted to any member of the federation, and we therefore expressly request that the information transmitted publicly be rigorous," the statement continued. We will study the possible legal consequences to which the RFEF exposes us by registering on a list that we had asked not to be part of for reasons explained publicly and in more detail to the federation, and thus make the best decision for our future and our health. »

"We regret once again that our federation has placed us in a situation we would never have wanted," the text concludes. The Spaniards, for their return to competition after their world title in Australia, must play two Nations League matches against Sweden (September 22) and Switzerland (September 26). And it will be, no doubt, with a very different squad than that of the final on August 20.