Two Spain players to leave squad as talks lead to “series of agreements”

Twenty-one players are to stay with Montse Tomé's Spain squad after late-night talks yielded agreements over changes at the RFEF, the Spanish sports minister said.

Two players are to leave the squad for Spain’s upcoming games, it has been confirmed, after lengthy talks late last night brought a “series of agreements” over changes to the Spanish women’s national team set-up and the departures of further Spanish Football Federation officials (RFEF).

Announced by the Spanish sports minister, Víctor Francos, the developments came at the end of a dramatic day on which stoney-faced players had been left with little choice but to report for international duty, despite stating their intention to boycott a call-up from Spain’s new head coach, Montse Tomé.

On Monday, Tomé had caused surprise by naming a Spain squad including 21 of 39 players who had made themselves unavailable for selection until major structural changes were made. As Spain’s Sports Law provides for hefty fines and even club bans for players who refuse to accept a call-up, they were left with no option but to turn up.

In yesterday’s talks between Spain squad members, coaching staff, RFEF officials and Francos, players sought and received assurances that they would not be punished if they finally opted to leave Tomé's squad. They also remained insistent that further RFEF employees had to follow former president Luis Rubiales and former head coach Jorge Vilda in leaving the federation.

Rubiales resigned as RFEF chief on 11 September, three weeks after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent as Spain celebrated their Women’s World Cup final win over England. Vilda was replaced by Tomé on 5 September.

Hermoso was not called up for the upcoming UEFA Women’s