Spanish football president Luis Rubiales has backed controversial coach Jorge Vilda and insisted the federation has “forgotten” the players who have stayed away from the Women’s World Cup in protest against him.
Last September, 15 players wrote to the Spanish federation to declare themselves unavailable for selection because conditions in the national set-up had affected their “health” and “emotional state”.
It was reported their issues centred around the players wanting the national team set-up to be more professional, privately citing problems such as travelling to some games by bus instead of plane, training methods and match preparation.
There were also complaints against Vilda and his staff. It is alleged that Vilda had created a controlling environment. The Spanish federation deny such behaviour has taken place since 2018, when Rubiales took over as president.
Six of “Las 15” are at the World Cup, including star Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, but many have continued to strike and Spain are without some leading players, including world-class defender Mapi Leon, key midfielder Patricia Guijarro and goalkeeper Sandra Panos.
Vilda continues to divide opinion, but Rubiales said on Thursday: “What we have endured is a lot. Questions have been asked of Jorge Vilda, who is a hard-working man, a world-class coach, who has turned down other federations that have offered more money and stayed with Spain.
“We have stuck with those that have always wanted to be here, that have valued the great work that he has done to grow, and we have forgotten the people with resentments. He has continued working and not paid attention to those who wanted to destroy him.”
