Soccer-Vilda credits FA's support during player revolt for Spain's first semi-final

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Spain Press Conference - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 14, 2023 Spain coach Jorge Vilda during the press conference REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli/File photo

AUCKLAND (Reuters) - Spain coach Jorge Vilda said his team would not be in the Women's World Cup semi-finals if the country's soccer federation had not backed him during last year's player revolt.

Spain will battle Sweden in Auckland on Tuesday for a place in the final, nearly a year after 15 players threatened to quit if the long-serving Vilda was not fired.