Spain manager lashes out at Barcelona over Lamine Yamal situation – ‘I’m shocked, don’t think it’s normal at all’ | OneFootball

Earlier today, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal will be released from the La Roja squad for their upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey.

The 18-year-old had been included in the squad by manager Luis de la Fuente, but the RFEF claimed, in their statement, that the winger had undergone treatment for his pubic discomfort on Monday morning, which would require him to rest for 7-10 days.

The statement further claimed that the Spain medical team was not kept in the loop about the situation, and that they received a medical report from the club on the day the training camp was set to start, and as such, expressed surprise and disappointment at the situation.

De la Fuente hits out

Now, Spain manager De la Fuente has spoken out on the matter, stating that he has also been left surprised by the lack of information and communication.

“I’m shocked, I’ve never been through a situation like this before, and I don’t think it’s normal at all,” said De la Fuente in an interview with RNE Deportes.

De la Fuente not happy. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“Everyone is surprised, you don’t know anything, no news reaches you, and you don’t know any details, then they suddenly tell you”

There has been tension building between Barcelona and the Spanish national team camp since September, when the club felt that Lamine’s injury was not carefully managed, resulting in him missing a series of matches after returning from international break.

Barça manager Hansi Flick blamed De la Fuente for how the winger’s fitness was handled, leading to a retort from the Spain head coach.

Eventually, the officials from both parties established contact to settle matters and put the issue in the rearview.

But Lamine’s fitness concerns persisted, leading to him missing Spain’s matches in October as well, and now he has had to withdraw from the La Roja roster again, sparking strong reactions from De la Fuente and the RFEF.