Spain continue to not call up 15 protesting players in women's squad

The standoff between the Spanish Women's national team and their players continues, after the group of 15 who have made themselves unavailable for selection were again not named in the squad for February's international break.

In September, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) released a statement explaining that 15 players had resigned from the national team because of the detrimental impact it was having on their wellbeing.

The following day, members of the Spain squad responded, clarifying that they have not resigned, but had made themselves temporarily unavailable for selection until 'situations that affect our emotional and personal state are reversed'.

The 15 players - Ainhoa Vicente Moraza, Patri Guijarro, Leila Ouahabi, Lucia Garcia, Mapi Leon, Ona Batlle, Laia Aleixandri, Claudia Pina, Aitana Bonmati, Andrea Pereira, Mariona Caldentey, Sandra Panos, Lola Gallardo, Nerea Eizaguirre and Amaiur Sarriegi - have not played for their country since, and have again not been called up for the latest international camp.

Spain travel to Australia for the Australian Nations Cup this month, and will face the hosts, plus Jamaica, and the Czech Republic as their 2023 World Cup preparations step up.

The World Cup is just over five months away, but if the situation remains unresolved, Spain will head to the tournament without a selection of the finest talent in the global game.

Jennifer Hermoso has been recalled for the February fixtures. The former Barcelona striker was not one of the 15 players who made herself unavailable for selection, but did express her support for those that had, admitting she had experienced 'immense loneliness within the national team' in recent years.

The Spanish national team protest has also featured a divide between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Six Barcelona players were part of the protesting group of 15 - Patri Guijarro, Sandra Panos, Mapi Leon, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina - while no Real Madrid players were.

There are nine Real players in February's squad, while Laia Codina Panedas and Salma Celeste Paralluelo, who have three senior international appearances between them, are Barcelona's only representatives.

Coach Jorge Vilda insisted in September that he would not be stepping down and would instead build a new side with those 'committed- to the national team.

Spain Women squad - February 2023

Goalkeepers: Misa Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Enith Salon (Valencia), Elene Lete (Real Sociedad).

Defenders: Ivana Andres (Real Madrid), Rocio Galvez (Real Madrid), Maria Mendez (Levante), Sheila García (Atletico Madrid), Oihane Hernandez (Athletic Club), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid), Paula Tomas (Levante), Bibiane Schulze (Athletic Club), Laia Codina (Barcelona).

Midfielders: Maite Oroz (Real Madrid), Irene Guerrero (Atletico Madrid), Teresa Abelleira (Real Madrid), Marta Carro (Valencia), Claudia Zornoza (Real Madrid) Fiamma Benitez (Valencia).

Forwards: Martha Cardona (Atletico Madrid), Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca), Alba Redondo (Levante), Eva Navarro (Atletico Madrid), Salma Celeste Paralluelo (Barcelona), Esther Gonzalez (Real Madrid), Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid)