WWC: Spanish mutiny, England's FA row, Jamaica's Reggae Girlz rise up
"Unfortunately this is women's football, still."
Lucy Bronze delivered this sobering reminder at the England media day at St George's Park last month as the buzz around the Lionesses' World Cup campaign was picking up pace.
She was talking about the situation regarding Spain, one of the tournament favourites, who will be without some of their star players - including Barcelona's Champions League final match-winner Patri Guijarro - because of a dispute with their FA, the RFEF.
Fifteen players emailed the RFEF in September to declare themselves unavailable for selection as they expressed their discontent under head coach Jorge Vilda. Reports claimed there was a toxic culture which was impacting their mental health and performance.
The RFEF chose to stand by Vilda and were robust in their response. The rebels, who deny they were trying to get Vilda sacked, were told they would only return if they could "recognise their mistake and ask for forgiveness".
After months of uncertainty and a lack of clarity from Vilda and the RFEF, former Man Utd defender Ona Batlle and her two Barcelona team-mates Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati were the only ones from the 15 chosen to go to the World Cup.
Guijarro's Champions League-winning Barcelona team-mates Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina and Sandra Panos will also not be playing in Australia and New Zealand.
"I know that they're ambitious players," Bronze said of those missing out, many of whom she plays with at Barca.
But to them there's more at stake than accolades.
"It will really p*** me off not to go to the World Cup, but my values come first," Leon said in March.
Speaking to BBC Sport at St George's Park, Bronze added: "It's sad that they're missing out on something that's a huge moment in any
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
