Several of the Spain players on strike from playing for the women’s national team had not been told they were going to be called up for their upcoming Nations League fixtures this month.
Spain’s head coach Montse Tome has selected most of the 23 players who won the Women’s World Cup in her first squad, with matches against Sweden and Switzerland to come this month.
Fifteen of the World Cup players have retained their places. Jenni Hermoso, Ivana Andres, Irene Guerrero, Laia Codina, Alba Redondo, Salma Paralluelo, Rocio Galvez and Claudia Zornoza have not been selected.
On Friday, 39 players – which included 21 out of the 23 World Cup-winning side – said they wanted further changes at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), confirming that the resignation of former president Luis Rubiales, and the sacking of Jorge Vilda as head coach did not suffice to persuade them to rejoin the team.
Sources close to several of the striking players, who asked to speak anonymously to protect relationships, told The Athletic they had not been informed they were going to be called up. They said the players remained committed to the joint statement they published on Friday.
These same sources also said that at a meeting with the Spanish Football Federation leadership on Friday, the…
