Women's soccer player kissed on lips by former federation president returns for Spain
Spain's Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 31, 2023. Hermoso, who said she did not consent to the kiss by former federation president Luis Rubiales during the World Cup awards ceremony last month, said in a statement early Tuesday Sept. 19, 2023 that the federation's decision to call up nearly half of the 39 players who said they would not play for the national team as a protest was “irrefutable proof” that “nothing has changed.” Credit: AP/John Cowpland
MADRID — The Women's World Cup-winning player kissed on the lips by the former president of the Spanish soccer federation was called up again by the national team on Wednesday.
Jenni Hermoso was included in coach Montse Tomé's squad for this month's Nations League games against Italy and Switzerland.
Hermoso was omitted from the first squad after the World Cup to protect her amid the controversy ignited by Luis Rubiales’ kiss at the awards ceremony, after Spain had lifted the trophy in Australia in August.
Hermoso said the kiss was not consented and Spanish state prosecutors later accused Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion. They also accused Rubiales of trying to convince Hermoso and her relatives to publicly downplay the kiss.
Hermoso and other Spain players have testified as witnesses in the probe into Rubiales’ actions.
Rubiales eventually resigned and the players ended their boycott of the national team after being given guarantees of change within the federation following the intervention of government officials.
Tomé named the World Cup-winning players in her first squad, even though they had asked not to play until their demands for change were accepted. Some federation officials have since been fired and a joint committee involving players has been created.
The 33-year-old Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, criticized the federation for calling up the World Cup-winning players to the first squad without their consent. Not responding to a call-up can expose players to a fine or ban.
Spain won 3-2 at Sweden and 5-0 against Switzerland in its first two matches after the World Cup.
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