Thursday, four months before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the “rebellion” of several French footballers ended up causing the departure of coach Corinne Deacon.

But the French case continues to be the latest wave in a very rough sea in this sport.

In recent months, Canadian internationals have raised their voices to the point of threatening their Federation with a strike if they do not obtain an increase in the budgets allocated to their selection.

Since the end of September, about fifteen Spanish players have withdrawn from the national team, demanding the departure of coach Jorge Vilda… although without success for the moment.

“Whether it is their financial conditions, the technical environment, the lack of professional structures in their federations or their leagues, all this does not correspond to what the players demand or produce on the field, nor to the development of their sport. . Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, secretary general of the World Union of Footballers (FIFPro), is alarmed.

“No player should have to sacrifice part of their career to get something they want,” the leader added in statements to AFP.

A World Cup without several stars?

French, Canadians and Spaniards are not the first to bang their fists on the table to ask for more consideration or to make a complaint.

Norwegian Ada Hegerberg, the first women’s Ballon d’Or in history, retired from her team for five years after a disappointing Euro 2017, protesting against the inequalities between men and women in the bonuses paid by her federation.

The United States women’s national team, led by former star scorer Carli Lloyd and more recently by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, has lit its first fuse since 2016 by embarking on a long legal battle for equal pay.

The movements of insubordination within the various teams raise questions four and a half months after the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, scheduled for July 20 to August 20. Especially since the broadcasting rights have not yet been acquired in several major countries, such as France or England.

The possibility of a World Cup without several stars of women’s football is “a real risk”, worries Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, who hopes that the impulses launched at the National Federations will be agreed within the framework of “a deep desire to advance” this sport.

B team in Spain

In Canada and France, the “rebels” have been heard. Corinne Deacon has not been France coach since Thursday and Canadian FA president Nick Bontis has resigned. This federation announced Thursday an agreement in principle on the financing of the national women’s team.

But in both cases, the revolt did damage.

Canadian captain Christine Sinclair said on Thursday, speaking to the government, that she felt “insulted like never before” by former president Nick Bontis because of this call for financial equality.

Former French captain Wendie Renard for her part spoke of the consequences on her “mental health”.

In the case of Spain, the situation is clearer and the horizon does not seem clear at all: the national federation remains inflexible and has supported coach Jorge Vilda, who remains in office.

In recent calls, Vilda called up other players, meaning Spain can go to the World Cup with a sort of ‘B team’, although top scorer Jenni Hermoso has returned to the squad. team in February and strengthens the ‘Red’.

Doubts persist over national star Alexia Putellas, who has been injured since the middle of last year and winner of the last two Ballon d’Ors. What will happen when it becomes available to play again?

“We have to fight daily to improve,” Putellas recently said in an interview with beIN Sports.