Hermoso accuses RFEF of bid to ‘intimidate’ players

MEXICO CITY: Football star Jenni Hermoso has accused the Spanish federation of seeking to "intimidate and threaten" the World Cup champion players by calling them up against their will for two Nations League matches.

The Spain international, who was forcibly kissed by former Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales following her team´s triumph in Sydney on August 20, was not included in the squad but expressed her support for the rest of her team-mates.

"The players are certain that this is yet another strategy of division and manipulation to intimidate and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions," the player, currently with Mexican club Pachuca, said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.

The Rubiales kiss caused international anger and shook the federation, leading to his resignation as well as the dismissal of coach Jorge Vilda. Vilda was replaced by his number two, Montse Tome.

On Friday, 39 players, including 21 of the 23 World Cup players, said in a statement that the conditions were not right for their return to La Roja and called for more changes in various federation departments. However, on Monday, the new coach called up around 15 of the champions and other signatories to the document to play against Sweden and Switzerland in the Nations League, a tournament that qualifies for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Those called up by Tome who were in the 39 all published a statement on social media, including two-time Ballon d´Or winner Alexia Putellas. In their statement, the Spain players made "clear" their "firm will not to be summoned for justified reasons. These statements are still fully valid". The players are summoned to Madrid on Tuesday and, if they fail to attend, they risk heavy fines and between two and 15 years´ suspension of their federation licence.