A moment, to say the least, extraordinary. After Spain’s victory over the Netherlands, counting the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2-1 after extra time), the TV broadcast of the match showed the players celebrating the coaching staff, ignoring the head coach.
Jorge Vilda performed a modest celebration, clenching his fists, apparently waiting for a player to salute him, but that didn’t happen, at least in that moment.
It should be noted that the relationship between the players and coach Jorge Vilda will not be the best, after 15 players from the Spanish national team expressed about a year ago their unwillingness to represent his country while the coach remains in his position.
The conflict between the athletes and Vilda arose after allegations of mismanagement by the team and different treatment between starters and substitutes.
This controversy culminated in a joint statement, in which the players stated that the current situation negatively affects their emotional and physical health, threatening to resign from the national team if the situation does not change.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) responded forcefully, rejecting the possibility of external pressures interfering with sporting decisions.
