In the Spanish women’s national soccer team, the dispute over coach Jorge Vilda, which has been smoldering for weeks, has escalated. 15 players no longer want to play under the coach, and Spain’s captain Irene Paredes also acknowledged disagreements. The association criticized the behavior of the players and even demanded an apology.
As the national association RFEF announced, 15 national players had resigned in the course of Thursday (September 22, 2022) with emails with the same wording. According to the association, the players are said to have demanded a “reversal of the situation” in the letter, otherwise they would no longer play for the Spanish national team, it said. The association interpreted this as an ultimatum to release coach Jorge Vilda and his staff.
It is a representation that the players vigorously contradicted on Thursday evening. In a statement shared by star player Alexia Putellas on Twitter, it said: “We have never called for the manager to be sacked, as has been claimed.” And no one resigned either.
Previously already had the Spanish web portals “El Confidencial” reports that it is unclear whether the representation disseminated by the association is correct. “El Confidencial” quoted the WhatsApp message of one of the players involved, according to which the association invented the mass resignation.
resignation or not? Contradictory representations
The radio station Cadena SER referred to the wording of the e-mail written by the players, which did not mention a resignation. Accordingly, the players would have said that they “Recent events in the Spanish national team and the situation they have created“charged. her”emotional state” and “hence health“are impaired, so quoted Cadena SER from the mail to the association.
For these reasons, it was said, the players are currently unable to “to be considered for our national team“. They expressed a desire, “not to be called up until this situation has changed.“
Conflict with Vilda has been smoldering for weeks
The newspaper “Sport” wrote about the “earthquake in the women’s team”. The conflict with the coach has been smoldering for several weeks. Many players do not consider Vilda to be qualified enough. Twelve of the players who have now openly opposed the coach were part of the EURO squad in the summer, nine of them were in the starting XI in the 0-2 group game against Germany.
According to media reports, they include England pros Ona Battle, Lucia Garcia, Laia Aleixandri and Leila Ouahabi, as well as six internationals from FC Barcelona, including goalkeeper Sandra Panos, playmaker Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon and attacker Mariona Caldentey.
Push also supported by Stars Putellas and Paredes
According to a report by radio station COPE, Barça star Putellas is not among the retired players. However, the world footballer is still injured. When the players contacted the Spanish association president three weeks ago and made the problems with coach Vilda public at a press conference before an international match, Putellas also signaled their support via social media.
Spain captain Irene Paredes stressed at the press conference that the players had not asked for the coach’s resignation. According to Paredes, the players’ protest was supported by the entire team.
Spain national players around Irene Paredes (2nd from left)
Association President Luis Rubiales then promised them changes, the Guardian reported. Accordingly, Rubiales confronted the coach with the allegations of the players, but Vilda ruled out resigning.
Spain’s federation covers coaches: “Harmful” behavior of the players
Apparently, the players then ignited the next level of escalation. Ana Alvarez, responsible for women’s football at the RFEF, spoke of a “serious matter“, but at the same time emphasized: “The players haven’t been treated badly, not at all.“
The association initially backed the coach and, for its part, increased the pressure on the players, with clear criticism: The RFEF will allow them “not allow the continuity of the national team coach and his coaching staff to be called into question, as such decisions do not fall within their remit“, it said in a statement.
Their procedure corresponds “not the values of football” and rather be even “harmful”, emphasized the association. According to current Spanish law, the players face a ban of two to five years.
If necessary, the national team should now be filled with youth players, the main thing is that they are “committed”according to RFEF: “It’s a matter of dignity.” A return of the players is only possible if they realize their mistake and apologize.