Spain players forced to join national team

The battle between Spain and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) continues as the players were forced to join the national team against their will.

New manager Montse Tome announced her squad list with a number of players who had already made public they were not available for selection until there were changes within the FA. The struggle for change was ramped up following the unwanted kiss by former FA president Luis Rubiales on Jennifer Hermoso after Spain won the World Cup.

That they were going to be called up to the national team in the first place took many of the players by surprise as they found out about it at the same time everyone else did: during Tome’s press conference where she announced the squad.

The fact that the players’ stance has not changed goes in direct contrast to what Tome said during her press conference.

According to Relevo’s Sandra Riquelme, the new manager did not speak to the players despite the claim to the contrary. Furthermore, when asked if any of the players directly told her they were not available for selection, Tome responded “no.” Riquelme reports a number of the players told her they were not available.

Shortly after the announcement, the players released a statement where they reiterated that their stance has not changed.

Initially, they planned to not meet up with the national team but with the threat of a possible sanction of being disbarred, for lack of a better term, of playing professional football, they reluctantly went.

To make matters worse, some were told to head to Valencia while others to Madrid. Real Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez was asked if she was happy to be included in the list given out by the manager and answered “no.”

The discontent from the players was evident when they arrived and when they were departing.

The fact of the matter remains is the RFEF continues to prove why and what the players are protesting. Little to nothing has been learned and it appears that the FA believe the sackings of Luis Rubiales and Jorge Vilda is enough of a solution.

Any one looking at what is going on can clearly see that isn’t the case.

Spain are scheduled play Sweden on Friday in the Nations League. With the game a couple of days away, there are sure to be new developments.