RFEF Chief: No Rift with Flick Over Yamal — The Path to Calm Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Background and Official Statements

RFEF president Rafael Lozano said there was no clash or tension between the federation and German coach Hans Flick regarding Lamine Yamal, stressing a cooperative relationship aimed at the player's best interests.

According to the Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Lozano noted "perfect coordination" between the federation and Barcelona, and said Barca could be confident about Yamal's call-ups for Spain's two most recent World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Lozano, speaking to Movistar from Balaídos stadium, said "we are working in this manner with Lamine, of course, and with all players. We especially thank the clubs, because players ultimately belong to them, and there must be perfect coordination as currently exists between the Spanish Football Federation, with Aitor Karanka as national-team manager, and club officials in administrative, technical and medical aspects."

Reassurances and Future Plans

The president also sent a message of reassurance to Barcelona and Hansi Flick, emphasizing his understanding of the club's desire to keep players safe, noting that Luis de la Fuente enjoys excellent relations with everyone and that it is natural for Barca's coach to want all players in top condition. These were simple discussions, not a dispute, and there has been no sense of tension at any moment.

Lozano added: "We always work in full coordination and will continue on this path, because loyalty to the club comes first, and we must take good care of players in the national team. Barca can be completely calm; there will be no disagreements on this matter."

He closed by looking ahead to Spain's upcoming matches, saying: "We must stay realistic about football's nature. We have a very important match in Georgia, then the return in Seville against Turkey, and I think we can seal top spot and qualify for the World Cup calmly before the World Cup draw in Washington."

Perspectives and Reactions

Flick expressed concern about how Spain has handled Yamal ahead of a league match against Valencia, saying the young player did not receive enough care despite playing long minutes with an injury.

In the press conference, Flick said: "Yamal will miss the Valencia match—it's unfortunate; he went to the national team with pains, took painkillers and still played."

"He has played 79 and 73 minutes with the national team without training between matches due to his issues; this is not protecting the players; the Spanish national team has the best players in the world, but they must care more for their players, especially the youngsters. I'm worried about him."

Flick added: "I did not speak with the Spain coach about Yamal except via text messages. My Spanish is weak, his English is not great, so communication was not ideal. I have coached a team and know how hard it is, but there must be better communication."

De la Fuente responded: "There is no clash at all with Flick regarding Yamal's call-up; after the match I felt Yamal's slight pains, and I did not push an injured player. I explained the situation, and the medical staff as well, and at the moment I did not know he would suffer pain after the match."

The Spain coach concluded: "No... I did not commit any error in Yamal's call-up; I simply select physically ready players for every camp and I immediately exclude any player if I see a risk in playing him."

He also noted, "I always talk with all players; we know each player's condition. If any club informs us of issues, the national team's staff and medical team assess them, and we will see how Yamal's performance evolves this week and whether he can participate."

Punchline 1: In football diplomacy, everyone's aiming for a clean sheet—too bad reality usually needs extra time.

Punchline 2: If clarity were a pass, this interview would have found its target long ago—alas, the assist went to the rumor mill.