FC Barcelona: Dispute Escalates โ-โ Spain Removes โYamal โขFrom Squad
A conflict โbetween the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) and FC Barcelona has intensified, resultingโค in youngโ forward Lamine Yamal being released from the Spanish national teamโ squad.The move follows โBarcelonaS decision toโ perform a “radiofrequency” medical procedure on Yamal to addressโข ongoing discomfort in โhis pubic area, a procedure the RFEF claims was undertaken without โคtheir consultation.
The RFEF expressed “surprise and displeasure” in a statement, noting they learned ofโ the invasive procedure at 1:47 p.m. on monday, November 10th – theโข day theโ national team’s training camp began. Due to a recommended recovery period ofโค seven to ten days following the operation, the federation decided to withdraw Yamal from theโ squad.
Spain is โscheduled to play World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia on โSaturday andโ Turkey three days later.Despite winning their first four Group E games with a goal differenceโ of 15-0, their qualification for theโ World Cup is not yet secured.
National team coach Luis de la Fuente stated, “This is not necessarily normal, I have never experienced a situation like this โฃbefore. It surprised me, like โeveryone else.” barcelona, however, defended its actions, assertingโ the club’s right โto prioritize the player’s well-being and seek treatment from itsโ own medical staff.
Thisโ dispute builds on previous criticism from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick. In September, Flick voiced concerns over Yamal being calledโค up to the national team while experiencing minor discomfort, and later returningโฃ to Barcelona inโ pain. He pointed out that in previous nationalโค team appearances, Yamal played 79 and 73 minutes respectively despite Spain being ahead by three goals in both matches, arguing that this did not demonstrateโ adequate player โขcare.
Yamal recently played a key โroleโ in Barcelona’s 4-2 victory against Celta de Vigo on Sunday, scoring a โgoal despite the ongoing pubic area discomfort, and was only substituted late โin the game.