If Spain wins, do the players lose?

Andrew Cornaga / AP

Spain's journey to this Women's World Cup has been full of controversy. Last year, just after the Euros tournament, fifteen of Spain's best players spoke out against Manager Jorge Vilda. These players* sent emails to the Spanish Federation (RFEF), explaining how Villa's coaching style and actions had severely affected their emotional and physical well-being. Irene Paredes, Alexia Putellas, and Jennifer Hermoso voiced support, but didn't send emails. RFEF immediately spoke out in support of Vilda. They mentioned issues such as insufficient preparations, poor travel arrangements, and lack of privacy. None of the players explicitly called for the resignation/removal of Vilda and his staff. However, did become incredibly clear that there was a rift between the players and Vilda. Those eighteen players were left off the roster for their October friendlies.

RFEF’s head of women’s soccer, Ana Alvarez said that players would have to apologize to return to the team. The federation did work to improve some conditions, such as more support staff and increased freedom during camp. By April, Hermoso, Paredes, and Putellas had re-joined the team. Eight of the fifteen did apologize, making themselves available for WWC selection, with Bonmati, Caldentey, and Batlle making the team.

Fans have remained skeptical of RFEF and Vilda since then. There has been a lot of confusion, given the trend of ‘protecting the player’ that seemed to be spreading through women’s soccer. This happened just weeks before the Sally Yates report on abuse in the NWSL came out. This report detailed a year-long investigation that had been at the front of many women's soccer fans' minds. The United States Women's National Team (USWNT) equal pay CBA had just been signed.

There still seems to be a division between the players and Vilda/the coaching staff. After both the quarter-final and semi-final wins, players were seen avoiding celebrating with Vilda.The RFEF president, Luis Rubiales still fully supports Vilda, making a comment that Vilda had “forgotten” the players protesting him. There is certainly a disconnect between what the RFEF is claiming, and what the players are experiencing.

Spain seems to be taking a step backward. By ignoring the opinions of players and unilaterally backing Vilda, the RFEF has said that winning is all that matters. Will this WWC seen as the most successful tournament to date? Will people talk about the Matildas historic semi-final run, Linda Caicedo playing in three World Cups in under two years, or Alyssa Naeher becoming the first goalkeeper to convert a penalty in a World Cup? Or will the conversation focus solely on the victory of abusive men in power? It’s not predictable.

Some people have taken a more positive mindset towards this. Former USWNT forward Christen Press is hopeful that winning the WWC would give these players more leverage, as she explains in an episode of The Re-Cap Show. That being said, many others fear that this will only silence the players further. It’s certainly not a black and white issue. Just like there was no right or wrong choice to step back from the team, there is no right or wrong way to anticipate what could happen if Spain wins.

At the end of the day, it would not hurt to take a page out of Press’s handbook and cheer for the success of these players, rather than cheering against the Spanish Federation. Without ignoring the realities of their situation, we can amplify their voices in order to create a better future for all female athletes.

Hannah Mckay / Reuters

*The players were: Mariona Caldentey, Patri Guijarro, Sandra Panos, Lola Gallardo, Nerea Eizagirre, Lucia Garcia, Laia Aleixandre, Andrea Pereira, Leila Ouahabi, Amaiur Sarriegi, Ainhoa Moraza, Claudia Pina, Mapi Leon, Ona Batlle, and Aitana Bonmati sent the emails.