Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente gave an interview to ‘RNE’ in which he spoke, among other things, about Lamine Yamal’s withdrawal from the squad. The Spaniard backed the RFEF’s statement and made it clear that there is no conflict with FC Barcelona.
Fresh controversy surrounding Lamine Yamal. The RFEF expressed its “displeasure” and “surprise” on Tuesday because the player underwent treatment with Barca that required rest without informing ‘la Roja’. This immediately led to the attacker’s withdrawal from the squad, as he continues to suffer discomfort in his pubis.
Luis de la Fuente, minutes after the news broke, spoke to ‘Radiogaceta de los deportes’, a programme on ‘RNE’, about this issue and other current affairs concerning the Spanish national team. The aforementioned media outlet, which released an advance excerpt of the interview, published the full interview early in the evening.
“You’ll allow me to refer to the Federation’s statement. It is well explained and narrated. What is detailed there is what has happened. The player is not fit to play,” the Riojan began.
“The important thing is that the players are healthy and Lamine’s situation worried me. All the rest are events that happen outside the RFEF. It is what it is and we have to accept it. However, I don’t think it’s very normal. I had never experienced a situation like this before. You have no news or any detail,” he said.
De la Fuente is aware that everyone has to look after their own interests, although he considers this to be “a general interest” for the Spanish national team. The coach assured that they have always been “transparent” in all information and that good communication facilitates all processes.
“The player comes and tests are carried out without informing the Federation. That is the part that surprised us the most. Now, the player is not in a condition to be able to play the matches, two very important matches that we have in qualifying for the World Cup. With everything that means for our country, for a federation, for a great fan base, the best in the world. We are not yet qualified for the World Cup,” he stated.
Despite all the commotion that this issue has generated, the Riojan made it very clear that there is no conflict with Barca: “There is no war. We are both interested in having a good season. The interests are aligned and we should understand that. Just as I respect FC Barcelona’s decisions, I demand that mine are respected. And in that sense, there should never be any problem.”
“We were meeting all afternoon. During the night we talked until the player went to bed. We were aware of the whole situation that is described in the statement. I have been with him in the morning and I have reassured him. He is a player who is completely dedicated to the cause of the national team. He wanted to stay out of desire, but obviously it was impossible,” he commented.
