Italy’s players have written a statement appearing to question the backing of the country’s football federation following their group-stage exit at the Women’s World Cup.
Milena Bertolini’s side were knocked out in dramatic circumstances in Wellington on Wednesday after South Africa scored a stoppage-time winner.
A statement posted on social media on Thursday — signed from “players of the national team” and shared by veteran striker Cristina Girelli among others — admitted the team sought “redemption” after finishing bottom of their Euro 2022 group last year.
But the players also highlighted wider support for the women’s game back home, claiming they were “not put in the condition” to succeed.
Bertolini’s squad, though controversially without previous captain Sara Gama, comprised 16 players who competed in the women’s Champions League last season with Roma and Juventus.
But the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) did not send a representative to watch the side compete in Australia and New Zealand and the players’ message rued a lack of outside “confidence”.
The statement read: “The feeling of regret is still strong because we came to this World Cup wanting redemption. We knew we were coming off a disappointing Euros and had learned a lot from…
