The Venezuela national team has insisted that certain “coaching staff and directors” must leave their football federation – otherwise they’ll stop playing for the national team.
West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon and 14 other players have slammed coach Noel Sanvicente and other federation members on social media for their poor management of the team that currently sit rock bottom of their 2018 World Cup Qualifying group.
The players have said that they will not take part in any Venezuela matches until there is reform in the national team’s governing body.
Venezuela are the only South American team never to reach the World Cup finals and in this qualification campaign they have already lost their opening four group games against Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador.
Venezuelan Football Federation head Laureano Gonzalez stated on Twitter: "A movement came together there [inside the team] to throw out the coach, who is our winningest national coach."
The players then responded, saying: "[Those] declarations are totally false and defamatory of our honour and reputation”.
They added: ““As long as the Venezuelan Football Federation is commanded by the current directors...(the) dream of going to a soccer World Cup is threatened.”
Middlesbrough defender Fernando Amorebieta has already retired from playing for Venezuela condemning the coaching staff and directors for the team’s current position.
