Spanish Football Federation has disclosed that 15 players have said they will resign from the women’s national team if the head coach Jorge Vilda is not sacked.
The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) revealed that the players claim Jorge’s tenure affects their emotional state and health.
However, the RFEF claimed it “is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach.”
“These types of manoeuvres are far from exemplary and outside the values of football and sport,” they said.
“Making those decisions does not fall within their powers.”
The RFEF warned that refusing to play for the national team was “a very serious infraction and can carry sanctions of between two and five years of disqualification” and added that it would not call up the 15.
“The Federation will only have committed footballers even if they have to play with youth,” it added.
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“This fact has gone from being a sporting issue to a dignity issue. The selection is non-negotiable. It is an unprecedented situation in the history of football, both male and female, in Spain and worldwide.
“The national team needs players committed to the project, defending our colours and proud to wear the Spain shirt.”
RFEF said the players would only be called up again in the future “if they accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness.”
In 2015 Vilda’s predecessor Ignacio Quereda resigned after Spain’s players called for his sack. The resignation happened after Spain finished bottom of their World Cup group.
