Brazil’s best women’s soccer players have started a revolt.

The firing of the first woman to lead the country’s national team has triggered the retirement of several top players and unleashed a torrent of criticism against the national soccer federation over several issues related to its treatment of women.

Five players quit the program after the coach, Emily Lima, was removed last month — after less than a year in the post — in the wake of a series of poor results. Among those who have walked are Cristiane, a prolific striker and a veteran of four World Cups and four Olympics, and the veteran midfielder Francielle.

On Friday, the situation escalated when a group of former players published an open letter criticizing the federation.

“We, the players, have invested years of our own lives and all of our energy to build this team and this sport to its strength today,” read the letter, which was signed by eight former players, including Cristiane and Francielle as well as the former World Cup stars Sissi, Rosana and Formiga. “Yet we, and almost all other Brazilian women, are excluded from the leadership and decision-making for our own team and our own sport.”