Spanish FA decision proves nothing has changed after Women's World Cup scandal

19 September 2023 , 15:26

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A number of Spanish players reported for international duty on Tuesday

"I am sure that as the World Champion, we as a team do not deserve such a manipulative, hostile and controlling culture."

That was the assertion of Spain striker Jenni Hermoso, five days after the kiss that unwittingly and irrevocably altered the landscape of Spanish football. Hermoso was part of the squad that made history in Australia in New Zealand, scoring three times in seven matches to help La Roja clinch their first ever Women's World Cup title.

But in the aftermath of that historic feat, Hermoso was thrust into the spotlight for a different reason, having been kissed on the lips by then-Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales in full view of the world's media. More than four weeks on from that night at Stadium Australia, the crisis that has at times threatened to swallow the RFEF whole, rages on.

And, if Hermoso is searching for more evidence to back up her claims of a "manipulative, hostile and controlling culture" within the Spanish federation, she need look no further than the events of the past few days.

On Monday evening, Montse Tomé - installed as head coach of the women's national team following the dismissal of the controversial Jorge Vilda - named her squad for Spain's upcoming Nations League fixtures against Sweden and Switzerland. 21 of the players called up had, only three days before, reiterated their intention to boycott the national team until the "current structure" of the RFEF undergoes signicant changes.

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Despite Vilda's departure and Rubiales' subequent resignation, the 39 players who put their name to last Friday's statement insist they do not yet "feel in a safe place" to report for international duty. And yet, not for the first time, their wishes have been ignored.

“I trust that the players are professionals, they come from being world champions, they love the profession, being in the Spanish team is a privilege, and I know that they will be with us tomorrow,” Tomé said after unveiling her squad.

Jenni Hermoso has responded to being left out of the Spain squad (Getty Images)

The coach's words echoed the contents of an earlier statement from the RFEF, vowing to "guarantee a safe environment" for players and calling for an "environment of mutual trust" within the national team set up. However, the 21 players who have been called up against their will would surely be justified in feeling the federation's recent actions have not been conducive to creating a culture of confidence and transparency.

According to reports in Spain, the players in question further signalled their desire to be omitted from Tomé's squad on Sunday, by collectively opting not to respond to an RFEF email. They discovered they had been called up at the same time as the rest of the world, later noting the federation's decision "places us in a situation that we would never like to be in."

Montse Tomé is the new head coach of Spain's Women's team (AFP via Getty Images)

On Tuesday morning, footage emerged of a number of the players reporting for international duty, but the bowed heads and sombre faces of the newly-crowned world champions made it abundantly clear this is a decision that has effectively been taken out of their hands. The threat of legal action and of having their playing licences suspended has forced this exceptional crop of players - who should still be basking in the glory of their remarkable sporting achievement - to reluctantly comply with the RFEF's demands.

Their collective frustration was perhaps most clearly illustrated by Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez who, when asked by journalists whether she was happy to be have been named in Tomé's squad, bluntly responded, "no." The RFEF's actions will, of course, not have come as much of a surprise to these players. After all, the federation's propensity to completely disregard the concerns and wishes of its female stars is one of the biggest driving forces behind their recent revolt.

Last year, 15 players submitted identical emails to the RFEF, saying they would not play under manager Vilda unless "significant" concerns over their "emotional state" and "health" were addressed. 'Las 15' - as the players became known - were unhappy with Vilda's training methods and inadequate game preparation.

The Spaniard's predecessor, Ignacio Quereda, was also a divisive figure during his 27 years at the helm and was sacked only when his entire squad called for his dismissal after their poor performance at the 2015 World Cup. The discontent within the Spanish squad is acute and deep-rooted, and this latest saga has been born out of a culture of sytemic sexism and misogyny.

There was, of course, one conspicuous absence from Tomé's most recent squad list. Hermoso, after weeks of intense media scrutiny, was omitted for her own "protection"; a decision she questioned in a no holds barred statement on Tuesday morning.

"Protect me from what? And from whom?," she wrote on social media. "We have been searching for weeks – months, even – for protection from the RFEF that never came. The people who now ask us to trust them are the same ones who today disclosed a list of players who have asked NOT to be called up."

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She added: "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. It is yet more irrefutable proof that shows that even today, nothing has changed."

It is an astute appraisal of a situation that encapsulates the grim state of play in Spanish football. While some of the major players have changed, the systemic issues remain and, until they are addressed, the prospect of enacting meaningful change is bleak.

Beth Lindop