The dispute between the Spanish Football Association RFEF and FC Barcelona over young world star Lamine Yamal is coming to a head. The reason is a medical procedure.
The 18-year-old striker was removed from the squad for the European champions’ World Cup qualifiers in Georgia and against Turkey after the professional was subjected to an “invasive” medical procedure by the club without consultation with the association, the RFEF said.
Rest period of seven to ten days
“The Medical Department of the RFEF would like to express its surprise and displeasure at learning at 1:47 p.m. on Monday, November 10, the day of the start of the official training camp, that the same morning the player had undergone an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat his pubic area complaints”says the association’s statement.
Due to the recommended rest period of seven to ten days after such an operation, it was decided to remove the player from the “La Roja” squad, it was said. Spain travels to Georgia on Saturday and hosts Turkey three days later. Coach Luis de la Fuente’s team won the first four games in Group E with a total of 15-0 goals, but they still don’t have their World Cup ticket in their pocket.
“Never experienced a situation like this before”
De la Fuente said in a first reaction in an interview with the radio station RNE: “This isn’t necessarily normal, I’ve never experienced a situation like this before. It surprised me, like everyone else.” At the request of the sports newspaper “AS” and other Spanish specialist media, FC Barcelona emphasized that the club had the right to protect the player and have him treated by the doctors of his choice.
There was an earlier dispute between Barca and the association
The dispute has a history: Back in September, German Barça coach Hansi Flick criticized Yamal for joining the national team with minor complaints and returning to Barcelona in pain. “In every game they were ahead by three goals and he played 79 and 73 minutes each. That’s not how you treat players with care. Spain has great talent and has to protect them,” complained Flick at the time.
In Barça’s 4-2 away win at Celta de Vigo on Sunday, Yamal was one of the Catalans’ best players despite the discomfort in his pubic area that had been ongoing for several weeks. He scored to make it 3-2 and was only substituted shortly before the end.