Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners ‘confirm that they will REFUSE to play for their national side’ after ‘insufficient structural changes’ following Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso

Spain’s Women’s World Cup winners have reportedly confirmed they will refuse to play for their national team after meeting yesterday to discuss whether to accept a call-up for their upcoming Nations League campaign.

New La Roja head coach Montse Tome will today announce her squad for their first two international matches since winning the World Cup.

However, she is likely to be hampered by the absence of her best players after reports emerged that the squad will reject the call-up, according to Spanish reports, due to insufficient structural changes.

A statement is also expected from the players outlining the changes they expect to see, despite former president Luis Rubiales announcing his resignation earlier this week.

A total of 81 players had signed a letter saying they would reject the call-up. This letter was released last month by players’ union FutPro, stating that they would reject the call until there was a change in leadership at the Spanish Football Association.

New Spain coach Montse Tome, who will replace sacked manager Jorge Vilda, will name her squad for the first two international matches since winning the World Cup today.

It comes after Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales sparked outrage after forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The world champions will play Sweden on September 22 and Switzerland on September 26 in the first Women’s Nations League, but many of the team’s players may disapprove of their selection.

According to RelevoA virtual meeting took place between the players last night at 9pm ‘to assess as a team what they would do if called up by Tome’.

The outlet reports that the meeting lasted three hours, during which players “presented all their arguments” as they considered not returning to the national team until “there are more profound changes in the structure of the national team and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF ).’

The meeting also reportedly involved a number of the ‘Las 15’ players who opted to ban themselves from an international call-up last year, including seven players who also opted to omit their names from the World Cup squad 2023.

Those names included Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, Lola Gallardo, Ainhoa ​​Moraza, Amaiur Sarriegi and Nerea Eizagirre.

The fifteen players wrote a letter to the Spanish Football Federation claiming that they would not be available for selection as long as Vilda remained in his position. But the RFEF released a strongly worded statement in response, saying the selected players had committed a ‘very serious offence’ by refusing to play for the country.

According to Relevo, the group of players involved in yesterday’s meeting will ‘share their decision with the Spanish FA on Friday.’

It adds: ‘The players want to be strong with their actions and convey the reasons to the federating entity.’

“Their main arguments revolve around the treatment received by the integrity, communications, marketing and football departments,” says Relevo.

Hermoso filed a formal complaint against Rubiales last week, describing the kiss as a “sexist act” that took place without her consent

Rubiales (left) was reluctant to resign but has subsequently announced he will leave his post in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan (right)

‘In the latter, despite their attempts to convince them of a desire for changes that have not taken place, the players do not trust Rafa del Amo, president of women’s football in the RFEF – despite having submitted his resignation -, and Ana Álvarez , director.”

The outlet states: ‘The players would not return to the current leaders (of the Spanish FA)’

According to Relevo, Jenni Hermoso’s lack of sensitivity and the pressure she received from Rubiales and the Spanish Football Federation were decisive factors the team used to make their decision.

It comes after former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales announced his resignation last week after he caused outrage by forcefully kissing Spanish star Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

The ‘kissgate scandal’ has led to protests and many players have expressed their support for Hermoso, including the English Lionesses. FIFA had also initially imposed a 90-day ban on Rubiales and is now pushing for a longer ban.

Today, the 46-year-old former president was summoned to the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid, where he will appear before judge Francisco de Jorge to face charges of sexual assault.

Members of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad will make their position clear on Friday and will not accept any call-ups until “more profound changes take place in the structure of the national team and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).”

It comes after the ruthless president reportedly refused to step down amid mounting pressure and calls for him to resign.

Former Spain women’s coach Vilda was also dismissed from his position last week, claiming his dismissal was ‘unfair’.

In August, Del Amo, president of the Spanish Women’s Football Committee, resigned after it emerged Rubiales would not leave his position.

Del Amo oversaw the body that oversees women’s football in Spain and claimed upon his resignation that he “could not be involved in a project he did not believe in.”