Here’s a good article by the Athletic about it (paywalled though.)
Short version, fifteen players (mostly from Barcelona) protested against unprofessional treatment from Vilda and his coaching staff, and insufficient resources and backing from the federation. They requested not to be called up to the national team. Federation supported Vilda fully but later offered a compromise on certain issues, which is why some of the fifteen later returned for the World Cup. However, Spain are still missing key players who are continuing the boycott, most notably Mapi León.
I’m inclined to to believe the players on this, you don’t have fifteen players refuse to play for their national team (with public support from another three, including Alexia Putellas) without having some serious problems.
And yeah it’s an absolute shitshow. Feel bad for the Spanish team who are the strongest they’ve been in a long time, but have to deal with this situation.
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I knew RFEF were slimy as fuck, but for those of us not fully in the loop, what all went down?
Here’s a good article by the Athletic about it (paywalled though.)
Short version, fifteen players (mostly from Barcelona) protested against unprofessional treatment from Vilda and his coaching staff, and insufficient resources and backing from the federation. They requested not to be called up to the national team. Federation supported Vilda fully but later offered a compromise on certain issues, which is why some of the fifteen later returned for the World Cup. However, Spain are still missing key players who are continuing the boycott, most notably Mapi León.
I’m inclined to to believe the players on this, you don’t have fifteen players refuse to play for their national team (with public support from another three, including Alexia Putellas) without having some serious problems.
Damn that sounds like a shitshow and a half. Fuck the RFEF.
Hold on, I found a non-paywalled article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-03/spain-france-canada-player-boycotts-paradox-of-power-womens-game/102037590
It’s a great read, if rather depressing.
And yeah it’s an absolute shitshow. Feel bad for the Spanish team who are the strongest they’ve been in a long time, but have to deal with this situation.