Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad for the first time since Luis Rubiales kissed her after the Women’s World Cup final, an incident that sparked an incredibly turbulent period of reckoning and rancour — as well as a criminal investigation.
Hermoso, 33, has been selected by Montse Tome for Spain’s Nations League fixtures against Italy on October 27 and Switzerland on October 31.
Tome’s latest squad announcement comes as the prosecutors investigating Rubiales’ kiss — the former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president denies charges of sexual assault and coercion — continue to gather testimony from key witnesses, including Hermoso. The man Tome replaced as Spain manager, Jorge Vilda, is also under investigation for possible coercion, along with two other senior figures at the RFEF.
Spain’s last call-up marked the beginning of a week of late-night meetings as striking players finally returned to the national team amid suggestions they would be punished if they did not do so. The upcoming two fixtures are unlikely to be played out among such high drama, but there are still many key issues to be resolved.
Here, The Athletic explains the full picture — and what we can expect next.
Hermoso is back
The last few months have not been easy for Hermoso….
