Spain boss denies Lamine Yamal gets ‘special privileges’

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has rejected claims that Lamine Yamal received special privileges after being allowed to stay in Barcelona rather than travel with the squad for a Nations League match. He said the decision was made to help the teenager continue treatment for right-knee discomfort and inflammation, and would have been the same for any player.

Yamal was recovering after Barcelona’s league win over Atletico Madrid and remained with the club’s medical staff. He was expected to rejoin Spain before Sunday’s match against England, with De la Fuente saying recovery was going well. The 19-year-old had played 16 times for Barcelona this season, scoring 13 goals and providing 12 assists, as scrutiny continued over his workload for club and country.