The motives behind the partial return of Spain's protesting women to the team
Three players from 'the 15' - and Alexia Putellas - have returned to Jorge Vilda's squad following the national team schism that erupted in September, although the conflict dates back to before last summer's European Championship.
While some of 'Las 15' - as they have been nicknamed during these months - maintain their initial position, as is the case of Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, Claudia Pina, Lola Gallardo, Amaiur Sarriegi, Claudia Pina and Lola Gallardo, Amaiur Sarriegi or Nerea Eizagirre - and they are not the only ones - there are others who consider that there have been substantial changes that have led them to take the decision to return, once they have been able to see that there was no way to change everything they asked for at the beginning and that several of the players who started the 'protests' left them in the lurch. There are other players, such as Sandra Paños, who made themselves available and have not made the squad list.
Also back, almost a year after rupturing her ACL, is Alexia, although her case was separate due to the injury. The Azulgrana captain has led, along with Irene Paredes as mediators, these negotiations to achieve these small changes.
From travel to improvements in the staff
SPORT has learned there have been improvements in conditions: From travel (more planes and charters and fewer hours of bus journeys), the calendar (they have worked together to face the trip to New Zealand well in advance to minimise the effects that jet lag can have on the performance of athletes), work-life balance (the 'plan for family conciliation' was approved during the World Cup), ambition (higher level opponents to prepare for major tournaments) and increased numbers of staff with more specialists (more physiotherapists and physical trainers, among others).
Beyond this, sources familiar with the whole process explain that "the meetings with the Federation were fruitful, they felt listened to and (were conducted) with a more conciliatory tone". They add that during Jorge Vilda's visit to Barça's Ciudad Deportiva, they found a more approachable coach and that in the last calls-up, the players who did go with the national team "had the feeling of having more freedom as opposed to the inflexibility that existed previously". In this sense, they recognise that they expected "more support from the unions" and felt "without the necessary strength" to continue fighting, so they consider that it is better to "make the change from within".
The point of contention: Jorge Vilda
As it is, this group of players understand that the RFEF has indeed contemplated part of the list of improvements they were asking for. However, the key point on which the rest have decided to stick to their position is Jorge Vilda. They believe that in order to compete and have a real chance of winning a World Cup or a European Championship - so far they have only reached the round of 16 and quarter-finals, respectively - a change on the bench is necessary, bearing in mind that there are players who are among the best in the world in their position in the squad.
"For consistency", as Mapi León and Patri Guijarro have already publicly stated, they will not play in this World Cup, despite having done well enough to be in Australia and New Zealand and although these two are also strong candidates to be among the nominees for the Ballon d'Or or 'The Best'. They understand that these changes "are not enough, or I don't see them" - as the centre-back said a few weeks ago. It is a very complicated decision but they consider that they have no other option. Because these are their values and they will not give up on them.
