Jenni Hermoso’s omission from the Spanish national team following the scandal of Luis Rubiales’ forced kiss “was not a punishment” and was based on sporting reasons, coach Montserrat Tomé stated in court on Monday.
Tomé, who had just taken over the women’s national team from Jorge Vilda, claimed full responsibility for the decision not to call up Hermoso for Spain’s first match after the controversial incident in September 2023. According to her, the player had not trained enough with her team, and other players were in better shape to represent Spain.
Jenni Hermoso was recalled for the October training camp.
Luis Rubiales, who repeatedly insisted that the kiss was consensual, was forced to resign and was banned by FIFA for three years. He is currently on trial for sexual assault and coercion, facing a potential two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Three other members of the Spanish Football Federation, including Jorge Vilda, are also being prosecuted for pressuring Hermoso to downplay the incident.
The trial began on February 3 and is expected to conclude by February 19.