Allegations against national coach Jorge Vilda: 15 Spanish national soccer players resign

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Jorge Vilda (centre) during a training session with the Spanish women's national team

Photo: Juanjo Martin/EPA

Spain's women's national team was considered the big favorite at the European Football Championship in England this year, but since losing to the hosts in the quarter-finals there has been rumbling in the Spanish association.

Now there has been an unprecedented mass resignation in protest against coach Jorge Vilda.

As the national association RFEF announced, 15 players of the A-team resigned with e-mails with the same wording during the course of Thursday.

In it, the national players explain that the current situation is "significantly" affecting their "emotional state" and their "health".

"Until the situation is reversed, i.e. the coaching team is relieved of its duties, they would therefore not play for the Spanish national team.

However, the association does not want to give in to the pressure.

The RFEF "will not allow players to question the continuity of the national team coach and his coaching staff, as such decisions are not within their remit," it said in a statement.

Players threatened with long suspension

According to Spanish radio station COPE, currently injured world footballer Alexia Putellas has not resigned.

With Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon, Sandra Panos, Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle, Lucia Garcia and Laia Aleixandri, according to information from the broadcaster, numerous players who were in the starting eleven in the European Championship preliminary round match against Germany in July said goodbye .

Germany had won the game 2-0 (2-0) with goals from Alexandra Popp and Klara Bühl.

The approach of the players "does not correspond to the values ​​​​of football" and is 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 question of dignity."

A return of the now retired players is only possible if they realize their mistake and apologize.

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