The Italian women's national side have released a statement questioning the Italian Football Federation's (FIGC) commitment after their loss to Banyana Banyana.
The Italians bowed out in the group stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup after 3-2 defeat to South Africa on Wednesday.
Le Azzurre striker Cristina Girelli posted a statement, signed by the players, on social media on Thursday claiming they did not feel the support from the FIGC.
The Athletic have also reported that the federation failed to send a representative to watch the team at the World Cup in the last two weeks.
"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 our mistakes," the statement read.
"We were never afraid. But we didn't feel there was a lot of confidence in us either.
"This isn't enough on its own to explain what happened because clearly on the pitch we were lacking something else. The national team is made up of a core of 16 Roma and Juventus players, who have done big things in the Champions League.
"We think it's fair to ask how come a national team made up of this group of players, bolstered further by players from other big clubs as well as talented youngsters, struggles a lot first at the Euros and now a World Cup. We're sure we could have got different results if only we'd been put in the condition to do so.
"We'll work even harder to improve at international level but since we can always learn from mistakes, we hope in a nearer future, where our national team develops to the same standard of our club game and we're able to express ourselves 100 per cent and represent our country to the best of our ability."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.