Absolute surprise in Montse Tomé’s list for the Nations League. The new Spanish coach has included 14 World Cup players in the squad, in addition to players who have already given up on the World Cup, such as Mapi León or Patri Guijarro. And all without them knowing that they would be on this list, in which there are up to 20 of the 39 footballers who signed the statement of the 39, in which they reiterated their refusal to return to the national team if structural changes do not occur in four areas of the Federation.
Among the 23 called there are 15 world champions: Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Cata Coll, Enith Salón, Esther González, Irene Paredes, María Pérez, Mariona Caldentey, Misa Rodríguez, Oihane Hernández, Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Eva Navarro, Tere Abelleira and Athenea del Castillo, the only one who did not sign Friday’s statement along with the rest of her colleagues. The Real Madrid forward distanced herself from the 39 and explained her decision in a letter in which she reiterated her support for Jenni Hermoso and the need for changes in the Federation, although she gave “a vote of confidence” to the RFEF given “the situation of total uncertainty.” “I particularly want to go to soccer, watch soccer and, above all, play soccer,” she said.
Montse Tomé has also called up five of the 12 players who were left out of the World Cup: Patri Guijarro, Mapi León, Amaiur Sarriegi, Laia Aleixandri and Lucía García. The call is completed by Inma Gabarro, from the prelist, Rosa Márquez and María Méndez.
The footballers themselves have found out about their call-up through television. Now, these 20 players who clearly said that they will not return to the national team until there are changes must decide whether to succumb to the Federation’s challenge or if they remain in their position, an option in which they would face serious sanctions that can reach five years of disqualification of their licenses. Clubs may also refuse to release their players, since the Federation has not notified them of the release of their players within the deadlines set by FIFA.
