Jenni Hermoso Returns To Spain Squad First Time After Kiss Scandal

Jenni-Hermoso was included in the new coach Montse Tome's Spain Squad to play in the National League which will mark the return of the midfielder to the team for the first time after the unsolicited kiss scandal in the FIFA Women's World Cup by the Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales earlier this year in August. 

Jenni was earlier cancelled from the first squad of the Spanish football team after winning the World Cup to "protect her" by team coach Montse Tome after the controversies. But Hermoso will now mark her return to the team to play in the National League against Switzerland and Italy later this month. 

Jenni Hermoso To Return In Playing 11 For First Time After Kiss Scandal:

The new team coach of the Spanish women's football team, Montse Tome included Jenni Hermoso who has been an eye of the storm since the kiss scandal in the World Cup. The president of the Spanish Football Federation (REFF), Luis Rubiales allegedly gave the winning player, Jenni Hermoso an unsolicited kiss on the lips during the celebration of winning the finals in Australia in August. 

Many controversies have erupted since the scandal where Rubiales has denied the allegations referring to the kiss to be a mutual and consensual act of celebration but is now facing sexual assault charges. Rubiales has also resigned from the position after 39 players began a strike demanding changes in Spanish Football. 

The kiss scandal followed by the players' strike also led to the dismissal of the coach Jorge Vilda who was replaced by the new coach Montse Tome.  

Jenni Hermoso on the other hand received wide support from players and people around the world and her team as well, while the new coach Montse Tome did not include the midfielder in the first playing squad of Spain after the World Cup. The decision received widespread criticism from players and Hermoso herself. 

Jenni Hermoso To Return In Playing 11:

Last month, Tome called up the majority of the winning players of the World Cup to play as the first squad after the World Cup but did not include Hemoso who is a leading scoring player of the team as Tome said it was "to protect her". 

As Tome's decision to exclude Hermoso from the team was criticised by players and Hermoso herself as the midfielder in a statement questioned "Protect me from what? And from whom?"  

On Wednesday, in a news conference Tome was questioned about Hermoso's inclusion, Tome clarified that Hermoso's exclusion from the previous squad was just to protect her which was decided after talking to her coaching team and decided it was the best thing for the moment. 

However, Tome also said that she and her coaching team have talked to the player and they sense Hermoso is doing better now as she has scored three times in four games we already know what a player she is and they cannot wait to see her start training for the upcoming National League matches. 

Three other players Tome left behind due to their injuries were also included in the team. 

Suggested Reading: Boundaries And Consent: Lessons From The Luis Rubiales Case