MADRID: Fifteen players in Spain’s women’s squad have threatened to give up international duty unless their coach Jorge Vilda is sacked, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said on Thursday.
Local media reported that Spain’s women’s team has been in chaos for the past month, with players on the brink of mutiny if the federation doesn’t relieve Vilda of his duties.
“The RFEF can confirm that during the day today we received 15 emails from 15 women’s national soccer team players … stating that the current situation is ‘significantly’ affecting their emotional state and health, and Although ‘as long’ as it will not be reversed, they resign from the Spanish national team,” the Spanish Football Federation said in a statement.
“The RFEF will not allow the players to question the continuity of the national team coach and his coaching staff as these decisions do not fall within their authority.”
The RFEF said that refusing to comply with a national team call-up was classified as a “very serious offence” and could carry penalties of two and five years’ disqualification.
According to sources close to the situation, the players are unhappy with the handling of injuries, the atmosphere in the dressing room, Vilda’s team selection and his training sessions.
The RFEF, which did not reveal the identities of the 15 players, said they fully support the manager and that the players would only return to the team if they “realize their mistake and ask for forgiveness”.