Even amidst the celebrations at Stadium Australia following Spain’s first-ever Girls’s World Cup victory, indicators of the continuing protest in opposition to the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation and head coach Jorge Vilda have been seen for all to see. Spain’s gamers initially celebrated their triumph by themselves whereas the teaching workers was on the opposite facet of the pitch, and Vilda appeared typically unwelcome in bigger festive gatherings per photographs and movies from the pitch. Some gamers ultimately acknowledged the pinnacle coach and tossed him in the air after the match, however it was notably not the total group.
Vilda’s title was additionally booed twice by the gang of 75,000 in Sydney, first earlier than kickoff when the beginning lineups and coaches’ names have been introduced earlier than after which when he obtained his medal following Spain’s victory.
Vilda and the federation have been below hearth for practically a 12 months over failing to create knowledgeable surroundings for the crew. A gaggle of 15 gamers despatched particular person however equivalent emails in September 2022 asking to not be known as up till sure modifications have been made, together with Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmati. The gamers’ complaints reportedly included inadequate preparation for matches, together with journey preparations and a restricted quantity of workers, in addition to coaches who restricted their freedom throughout camps.
The federation and gamers held discussions final winter and spring over enhancing situations, which led three of the 15, plus three who publicly supported them however didn’t ship the emails, to ultimately be included within the World Cup squad.
The federation continues to again Vilda regardless of the complaints, with president Luis Rubiales saying on Thursday that the coach has “forgotten the individuals … who needed to destroy him.” The official account for Spain’s girls’s nationwide crew additionally posted a photograph of Vilda kissing the World Cup trophy after Sunday’s closing with the caption “Vilda in.”
Seven of the 15 proceed to protest, together with Mapi Leon. “Mapi Leon has a lifestyle and values,” Leon mentioned earlier than the match, per RAC1. “I am unable to return if the state of affairs does not change … There must be modifications. I am not saying that they are not doing it, however I do not see them. What saddens me essentially the most is that I actually should miss out on one thing once I may have earned it and contributed. It is a disgrace.”
The protest was the topic of a number of questions through the post-match press convention, although it seemed to be a subject gamers have been bored with discussing the subject.
“I’m not going to reply these issues, midfielder Teresa Abelleira mentioned, per The Equalizer. “I’m very pleased and it appears a bit ugly that you’re asking that on such a cheerful day for Spain.”
Goalscorer Olga Carmona, in the meantime, issued a vote of confidence within the federation regardless of the complaints issued by her teammates.
“The Spanish Soccer Federation has been fantastic. They’ve given us all of the situations to make successful attainable,” she mentioned, per Forbes. Notably, neither Abelleira nor Carmona have engaged with the protest publicly.
Vilda, although, took a way more diplomatic strategy when he was requested if he would resign because the protest lingers on.
“We will rejoice the World Cup and return to Spain,” he mentioned, per The Equalizer. “Then we’ll see.”
