The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) refused to buckle under the pressure and said it will not give into the demands of 15 of its women players who threatened to quit international duty if the coach of women’s team Jorge Vilda is not sacked.
In a statement, the Spanish Football that they will not let players pressure them to make coaching decisions and they will not call up those players who do not wish to play.
“The RFEF can confirm that, throughout today, we received 15 emails from 15 players of the women’s senior soccer team, in which they state that the current situation affects ‘significantly’ their emotional state and their health and that, ‘as long as it is not reversed,’ they resign from the Spanish national team,” the statement read.
“The RFEF is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers.”
The RFEF further said that denying to report for national team duty is a very serious violation and can carry sanctions of two and five years of disqualification.
The sport’s governing body in Spain did not disclose the names of the revolting players and said that they stand with Jorge and the players will be allowed back into the national fold only after they apologise and admit their mistake.