WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Jenni Hermoso returns to Mexico: Pachuca player wants out of media storm
The Pachuca forward is expected on Mexican soil after a turbulent few weeks following Spain’s World Cup win.
Pachuca and Spain player, Jenni Hermoso, is set to return to Mexico after a tumultuous summer following Spain’s historic World Cup win in Sydney, Australia.
The forward-turned-midfielder was forcefully kissed on the lips by then-RFEF president, Luis Rubiales, as she went up to collect her gold medal after the game. The incident sparked a media storm across the world, and Rubiales is now under suspension from FIFA for a period of 90 days.
Vilda sacked, Montse Tomé in
Manager Jorge Vilda has also been sacked from his position as first-team manager as, along with over 50 players, the World Cup winning squad released a statement saying that they no longer wish to be selected for national team duties while the current management structure is in place. Vilda, for his part, was interviewed on the night of his sacking on one of Spain’s most popular radio shows. He called his sacking “unfair” and said that he “didn’t understand it”.
He was removed from his position by interim president of the RFEF, Pedro Rocha: Montse Tomé, Vilda’s second-in-command, has taken over. We are yet to see if this changes proves to be enough for the players to return.
Jenni offically reports Rubiales over kiss incident
As for Jenni, she has kept out of the spotlight and has not spoken publicly about the incident. She has, however, formally reported Rubiales to the Public Prosecutor after publishing a statement through the players’ union saying that she wanted the Ministry for Sport to “support and actively promote the prevention and intervention of sexual bullying or abuse, sexism and machismo.”
And now the player, who has won a World Cup, 7 league titles, five cups, 5 Super Cups and a Champions League, is expected back in Mexico where she will link up with her Pachuca teammates as they continue their Liga MX Femenil challenge. According to Spanish media outlet Relevo, Jenni boarded a plane from Madrid to Pachuca de Soto on Wednesday night and will arrive in Mexico shortly to return to training.
Pachuca are 10th after 9 games of the season and if Jenni shows the form she did in the World Cup then the team’s fortunes should turn around in a flash.