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SoccerSpain

Spanish football players resign en masse

September 23, 2022

Spain's national team have been thrown into disarray after 15 players resigned. This came after the Spanish football federation refused to sack head coach Jorge Vilda, as demanded by the players.

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Spanish players celebrate opening the scoring in the Euro 2022 quarterfinal match against England
Spain reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2022 earlier this year, where they lost to eventual winners EnglandImage: Gareth Fuller/PA Images/IMAGO

Fifteen players from Spain's national side have resigned in protest over Jorge Vilda remaining head coach.

The Spanish football federation, RFEF, said they had received emails from the players stating their intention to resign if Vilda was not fired, saying that playing under the head coach was "significantly affecting their emotional state" and health.

The RFEF rebuked the demand in a statement, explaining: "The federation will not allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and its coaching staff, as those are not their responsibilities.

"These types of maneuvers are harmful and are not within the values of football and sports."

The statement went on to claim that under Spanish legislation the association could ban the 15 players for between two and five years for their actions. It said the RFEF would not seek to actually impose such a punishment, but would not consider the players for selection until they "admit their mistake and ask for forgiveness".

Second controversy in a month

This is the second controversy to entangle the RFEF in September, after a referees' strike saw the opening weekend of the newly rebranded Liga F postponed.

The officials, still under the auspices of the RFEF, had sought higher remuneration of their services in line with the enhanced pay packets for players, coaches and teams who joined Liga F under the LaLiga umbrella.

km/pfd (AP, Reuters)