15 players threaten to quit Spain womens team

Neymar the catalyst as Brazil produce classic World Cup display

Neymar, Danilo returns have Brazil dancing into World Cup quarterfinals with win vs. S. Korea

Tite: Dancing a language for young Brazil stars

Bierhoff resigns after Germanys shock WC exit

Portugal coach blasts Ronaldo for sub reaction

Croatia reach quarterfinals after beating Japan on penalties

FIFA charges Uruguay quartet for ref incident

Saka on Mbappe comparison: Theres only one

Red Stars owner Whisler selling stake in club

FIFA rejects France VAR protest over nixed goal

Spain vs. Morocco, Brazil dance into quarterfinals, Tuesdays best bets: World Cup daily

Resilience, not veteran stars, the key to Croatia beating Japan

Heartbreak for Japan as Croatia win on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals

You cant win a World Cup if you cant score goals, so the USA were doomed

The US accomplished a lot in Qatar, but left everyone wanting more

Why Bruno Fernandes has been Portugals best player at the World Cup

Booze cruise: What its like at Qatars ocean liner-turned-hotel World Cup party spots

Do Spains players match Luis Enriques desire to take down Morocco?

From amateur football to World Cup, Girouds rise to becoming Frances all-time top scorer

Transfer Talk: PSG push Messi for contract extension amid Miami interest

Transfer Talk: USAs McKennie attracts Tottenham attention

Englands World Cup starts now with France a formidable quarterfinal opponent

World Cup VAR review: Every decision in Qatar analysed

Spain womens team: 15 players threaten to quit if coach isnt fired

Fifteen players from the Spain womens squad have threatened to quit international duty if their coach Jorge Vilda is not fired, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said on Thursday.

Local media reported that the Spanish womens team were in chaos last month, with players on the verge of a mutiny if the federation did not relieve Vilda of his duties.

-Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)

The RFEF can confirm that, throughout today, we received 15 emails from 15 players of the womens senior soccer team... in which they state that the current situation affects significantly their emotional state and their health and that, as long as it is not reversed, they resign from the Spanish national team, the Spanish FA said in astatement.

The RFEF is not going to allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers.

The RFEF said that refusing to honour a call-up for a national team was classified as a very serious infraction and can carry sanctions of two and five years of disqualification.

According to sources close to the situation, the players are unhappy with the management of injuries, the atmosphere in the locker room, Vildas team selection and his training sessions.

The RFEF, which did not disclose the identities of the 15 players, said it fully supported the coach and that the players will only return to the team if they recognise their mistake and ask for forgiveness.

According to Spanish media, Ballon dOr winner Alexia Putellas was not among the players who said they would quit the team.

Federation president Luis Rubiales is known for being a hardliner and is often at odds with other the sports other officials in Spain. Not long after taking over the presidency of the federation, he fired mens national team coach Julen Lopetegui just a few days before the 2018 World Cup because Lopetegui took a job with Real Madrid without telling federation officials in advance.

Vilda took over the womens national team in 2015 to replace Ignacio Quereda, who later was accused by some players of verbal abuse.

Spain lost to eventual champion England in the quarterfinals of the Womens European Championship this year.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.