Spaniards refuse to play for 'toxic' Vilda; RFEF responds with a threat of a 5-year ban

September 23 - Fifteen players from Spain's women's team have refused to play for their country unless coach Jorge Vilda is sacked, but the Spanish football federation (RFEF) are on their side.< /p>

News of player demands broke late Thursday, claiming that Vilda has created a toxic culture that affects performance.

Vilda has been the national team coach since 2015 and led her team to the quarter-finals of Euro 22, where the pre-tournament favorites lost in extra time to eventual winners, l England.

The RFEF released a defiant statement supporting Vilda in the face of player power and suggesting that those who quit could be banned from the national team for up to five years.

“The RFEF can confirm that throughout the day we have received 15 emails from 15 players of the senior women's football team… in which they state that the current situation affects 'significantly' their emotional state and health and that, 'as long as it is not reversed', they resign from the Spanish national team," the statement read.

"The RFEF will not allow players to question the continuity of the national coach and his technical staff, because making these decisions is not within their competence."

He warned that refusing to play for the national team was "a very serious offense and can result in penalties ranging from two to five years disqualification" and added: "The Federation will only have footballers engaged even if they have to play with the youngsters."

"This fact has gone from a sporting matter to a matter of dignity. The selection is non-negotiable. This is an unprecedented situation in the history of football, men and women, in Spain and in the world.

"The national team needs players committed to the project, defending our colors and proud to wear the jersey of Spain."

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