Several striking Spanish players appeared at a meeting of their national team

At least six Spanish international footballers, five of them on strike since the “Rubiales affair”, finally attended the first meeting of their team in Madrid on Tuesday, September 19, after having reaffirmed the previous day that they did not want to play again with La Roja for the moment, according to a journalist from the Agence France-Presse.

The new coach, Montse Tomé, surprised this Monday by announcing a list that included fifteen world champions and other players who had asked not to be called up, pending changes within the Spanish federation. But a few hours after the announcement of this list, the majority of these players reaffirmed their “desire not to be summoned”.

“We believe it is relevant to clarify that the summons was not made in a timely manner.” (…). And therefore we understand that the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) cannot require our presence,” the players insist, referring to a FIFA article that stipulates that the federation must give at least fifteen days’ notice. “We regret once again that our federation places us in a position we never wanted to occupy” they conclude.

Spanish internationals who do not appear for their selection call will be sanctioned, responded the president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), Víctor Francos, on the night of Monday to Tuesday.

international scandal

“If the players do not show up, the government must enforce the law. “I hate to say it like that, but we have to do what we have to do.” Víctor Francos warned on Cadena SER radio, that the CSD is authorized to take this type of measure.

The players have been on strike since Luis Rubiales, former head of Spanish football, forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso after La Roja’s victory in the World Cup. Rubiales has since been forced to resign, following the international scandal that followed and the complaint filed by the player.

Regarding Jenni Hermoso, Montse Tomé declared that she had spoken with her, without revealing the content of their conversation, before stating that not selecting her was, according to her, “the best way to protect it”.

“Protect me from what or who? »Jenni Hermoso reacted, highlighting that the same people who seek trust in the federation “Today we publish a list of players who have asked not to be called up”. « It is very clear to the actors that this is another divisive and manipulative strategy to intimidate us and threaten us with legal repercussions and economic sanctions. (…)”, he declared in a press release published on (formerly Twitter).

Spain must face Sweden on September 22, and Switzerland on the 26th, in the Nations League, a qualifying tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.