Mystery shrouds Spain women’s squad ahead of USWNT clash as Hermoso supports players
Spain’s women’s team are set to play two friendly games against Sweden & the US and mystery surrounds what players will be selected by under fire coach Jorge Vilda.
Spain’s women’s team are set to face Sweden on 7 October in Cordoba ahead of a high profile friendly where the USWNT are the guests at Pamplona’s El Sadar stadium four days later.
With under-fire coach Jorge Vilda set to name his squad for both games, at this point no one is sure if the names of the 15 players who publicly stated that they no longer wanted to be called up at this point in time, citing their emotional states will be in the list.
Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is currently unavailable for selection following ACL damage ahead of Euro 2022 but later added her support to the 15 players.
Hermoso adds support to disenfranchised team-mates
The latest player to add her voice to the 16 is Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer Jenni Hermoso. Currently playing for Mexican side Pachuca, the veteran striker has backed her team-mates in their dispute with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over working conditions in the national women’s team.
Describing the last few days as ‘the worst moments’ in the history of women’s football in Spain, Hermoso said she felt obliged to speak out lest her silence be misinterpreted. ‘I want to publicly express my unconditional support to all my (colleagues) who a few days ago decided to communicate the need to improve the working conditions (in) the Spanish national team,’ she said in a statement on Twitter.
‘Not only do I understand their reasons, but I have also experienced many of the same feelings and concerns...’ According to sources close to the situation, the players are unhappy with the management of injuries, the atmosphere in the locker room, Vilda’s team selections and his training sessions.
Vilda has not commented on the complaints, but the RFEF has said it fully supported the coach with the episode casting a major cloud over the women’s game in Spain that has seen steady growth as the top flight has just turned professional and Spain topping their 2023 World Cup qualifying group in style.