Spain’s football governing body has condemned the resignation of 15 players from the senior women’s national team in protest against head coach Jorge Vilda.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation said it had received 15 emails from players refusing to continue playing for their country under Vilda.
In a statement, the RFEF said the players claimed Vilda’s regime was affecting their ‘health’ and ’emotional state’ and ‘until it is reversed, they are renouncing the national team. Spain”.
📍 OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION | Selección absoluta femenina de fútbol— RFEF (@rfef) September 22, 2022
The governing body responded by saying players could be disqualified for up to five years and will only be allowed to play again “if they own up to their mistake and ask for forgiveness”.
A statement from the RFEF said: “The RFEF will not allow players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, as making such decisions is outside their competence.”
The statement added: “The RFEF, unlike the way these players act, wants to make it clear that it will not take them to this extreme or put pressure on them.
“Directly, it will not call players who do not want to wear the jersey of Spain. The Federation will only have committed players even if they have to play with young people.
“It went from a sporting issue to a dignity issue. Selection is non-negotiable. This is an unprecedented situation in the history of football, both male and female, on the Spanish and world stage.
The RFEF said they would replace the players with others from the national team’s lower age groups.
According to reports, the players have agreed to push for the departure of Vilda, who has held the position since 2015, shortly after their loss to England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 due to his methods and tactics. coaching.
