Spain has not called up any of their 15 players that sent an email to the federation over the removal of their coach. The players spoke out over their treatment under the coach since it had “significantly” affected their “emotional state” and health.
The dissatisfaction was over the dressing room environment, the treatment of the players, as well as the team selection. The demands mainly hinged around the sacking of head coach Jorge Vilda, and the building of a “project” that would “get the best performance of this group of players.”
Spain women’s team drops all 15 protesting players
The RFEF demanded that the players ask for forgiveness from the head coach publicly. However, that hasn’t happened as of yet, with the bunch of players sticking to their guns so far.
Jorge Vilda has also dropped Jennifer Hermoso and captain Irene Paredes, who didn’t send emails against him. Ballon d’Or award winner Alexis Putellas will also be unavailable for the Spanish national team, since she is still recovering from a left knee injury that she sustained during the Euros.
“Due to the lack of clarity by the players in their public appearances and statements, there has been speculation that there is something going on beyond just the sport,” Vilda said. “I want to make a public appeal today that if any of my present or former players have received anything but exquisite treatment from me to say so.”
Despite clearly losing the confidence of most of his first-choice players, the coach has not considered stepping down from his role so far.