15 players have stated their intention to resign from the women’s national team unless head coach Jorge Vilda is fired.
According to the RFEF, the players claim that his tenure is affecting their emotional and physical health.
The RFEF, on the other hand, stated that it “will not allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach.”
“These types of maneuvers are far from exemplary and go against football and sport values,” they said.
“It is not within their power to make those decisions.”
It warned that refusing to play for the national team was a “very serious infraction that can result in sanctions ranging from two to five years of disqualification,” and went on to say that the 15 would not be called up.
“The Federation will only have committed footballers even if they have to play with youth,” it added.
“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.”
It ended by saying the players – who have not been named – would only be called up again in the future “if they accept their mistake and ask for forgiveness”.
Vilda, 41, has been the national team coach since 2015 and led his side to the quarter-finals of Euro 22, where the pre-tournament favourites lost in extra time to eventual winners England.
In 2015 Vilda’s predecessor Ignacio Quereda resigned after Spain’s players called for him to be sacked. The move came after Spain finished bottom of their World Cup group.
