Spanish star Alexia Putellas whacks her manager Jorge Vilda in their Women’s World Cup semi-final win as signs of team mutiny persist amid anger over his bizarre methods
Alexia Putellas slapped her Spanish coach’s hand when she was removed from the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was substituted in the 57th minute of her side’s 2-1 victory over Sweden, with the score tied at 0-0 at the time of her removal.
It was a bold choice by Spain coach Jorge Vilda and one that didn’t resonate well with the Barcelona star, who voiced her frustrations when she was substituted.
In a video that later appeared on TwitterPutellas was seen slapping her coach’s hand at her substitution before taking a seat on the bench.
Another coach also reached out to the 29-year-old, but she too reacted coolly before entering the dugout.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas made a frustrated figure after being eliminated against Sweden
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner ignored her coach before heading to the bench
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In the end, it was the right decision by Vilda, as Putellas’ replacement – Salma Paralluelo – scored one of Spain’s goals in the match.
Real Madrid full-back Olga helped the Spaniards to victory, booking their place in the final after a late goal from Sweden’s Rebecka Blomqvist.
In September, 15 players wrote letters to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) saying they would not be available for selection while Vilda stayed on as manager, insisting he was affecting their mental health.
But the governing body refused to fire the 41-year-old and demanded an apology from everyone involved.
The Spanish Football Federation’s statement read: “The RFEF can confirm that throughout the day we have received 15 emails from 15 players of the senior women’s football team … stating that the current situation has significantly affected their emotional state and their health”. ” affects. and that they resign from the Spanish national team “as long as it is not reversed”.
“The RFEF does not allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, as making those decisions is not within their powers.”
As a result, twelve of the 15 Spanish players who went on strike were left out of their World Cup squad.
Putellas was recovering from an ACL injury when the stoppage occurred, but it was believed he supported the players who went on strike.
She is also said to have led discussions between those squadron members and the federation.
After the game, Putellas celebrated with teammates as they booked their World Cup final place
Spain are playing in their first women’s World Cup final and could well become the second country to win both the men’s and women’s awards, after Germany who won both in 2003 and 2007.
England will also be able to achieve the feat, if they find their way past Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.
It’s a familiar story for Sweden, who have now lost four of their five Women’s World Cup semi-finals, losing to Germany in the final in 2003 after their only success.
The Scandinavian nation have finished third in each of their previous appearances in the third place play-offs, beating England in the previous tournament.