Jenni Hermoso & fellow Spain stars ignore latest twist in Luis Rubiales case as coach Montse Tome reveals squad's reaction to disgraced president's defiant interview

Rubiales is facing sexual assault charges following his non-consensual kissing of Hermoso during the medal ceremony at the 2023 Women’s World Cup final. He is facing the threat of jail time, but continues to speak out against his accusers and has claimed that he is being targeted “because he’s a man”.

Hermoso and the rest of her compatriots in the Spain camp are eager to avoid being dragged back into a long-running saga, with head coach Montse Tome telling reporters when quizzed on the latest quotes from disgraced RFEF chief Rubiales: “I didn't see the interview, my colleagues just told me about it. I haven't heard anyone talk about it and I like that. It says a lot about where the players have their heads, and also the staff. They (RFEF) don't tell me anything and I don't ask, I'm focused on football.”

Hermoso’s former Barcelona team-mate, Mariona Caldentey, added on Spanish stars turning a deaf ear and blind eye to a debate that they never wanted to be at the centre of: “We haven't talked about it, what happened is behind us. We are interested in sports, to win our battles on the field. It is not a topic that we feel comfortable talking about. We want to win and play a good game.”

World champions Spain are set to open their Euro 2025 qualification campaign on Friday when taking on Belgium, with Denmark and the Czech Republic joining them in Group A2.