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19 Oct 2023


Spain v Zambia: Group C - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 26: Jennifer Hermoso of Spain celebrates after scoring her team's ... [+] second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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Spain forward Jenni Hermoso has been called up to the national team for the first time since ex-Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales kissed her without consent after the Women’s World Cup final.

Rubiales forcibly kissed Hermoso on her lips after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the final to be named world champions at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.

The non-consensual kiss shook Spanish and world soccer, as the Spanish government, soccer’s world governing body FIFA, the United Nations and several players and clubs condemned Rubiales' behavior.

Spain v England: Final - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales (R) ... [+] kisses Jennifer Hermoso of Spain (L) during the medal ceremony of FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Noemi Llamas/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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Due to the criticism directed towards him, Rubiales eventually resigned as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Last month, the beleaguered former Spanish FA head was given a restraining order after being accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso without consent.

A judge in Spain issued the order, banning Rubiales from going within 200 meters of Hermoso, following a request from prosecutors, who alleged the kiss was non-consensual. Rubiales was also charged with coercion over the kiss.

Hermoso and other Spain players have testified as witnesses in the investigation into Rubiales’s actions.

Spain v England: Final - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 20: Jorge Vilda Head Coach of Spain (L) with Luis Rubiales,President of ... [+] Spain's football federation during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images,)

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Former Spain head coach Jorge Vilda is also being investigated as part of the criminal case against Rubiales, who denies charges of sexual assault and coercion.

According to Spanish media, Vilda is being investigated for his part in the alleged coercion of Hermoso, who said pressure was put on her, her family and her friends to defend Rubiales' actions. Vilda has denied this.

Last week, Vilda was named the new coach of Morroco’s women’s team just over a month after the Spanish federation fired him amid the fallout from Rubiales kissing Hermoso without consent.

Vilda, who was reportedly a close ally of Rubiales, had been in charge of Spain since 2015. But the 42-year-old had a maligned image due to his coaching methods.

Hermoso has been named in the Spain squad by new head coach Montse Tome as they prepare to face Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League later this month.

Earlier, Hermoso had been left out of the first squad after the World Cup amid the controversy ignited by Rubiales’s non-consensual kiss.

New head coach Tome said at the time that it was “the best way to protect” Hermoso, who in response said: “Protect me from what? And from whom?”

In the current squad, Hermoso, who has made 101 appearances for Spain, is part of the forwards alongside Salma Paralluelo, Mariona Caldentey and others.

Defender Olga Carmona, midfielder Alexia Putellas, and forward Lucia Garcia are also part of the squad. The full squad can be found below.

Goalkeepers: Misa Rodriguez, Cata Coll, Enith Salon

Defenders: Ona Batlle, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes, Ivana Andres, Laia Aleixandri, Maria Mendez, Olga Carmona

Midfielders: Tere Abelleira, Maite Oroz, Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Anna Torroda

Forwards: Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey, Inma Gabarro, Amaiur Sarriegi, Athenea Del Castillo, Ester Gonzalez, Lucia Garcia.