Yamal released from Spain squad after medical treatment
BARCELONA: Lamine Yamal was released from Spain’s squad on Tuesday for their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkiye after treatment on a groin injury, prompting criticism from the Spanish football federation (RFEF). The 18-year-old Barcelona winger, who has missed five matches for his LaLiga club due to the issue, had a radiofrequency operation on Monday as Spain’s training camp began, RFEF said. “This procedure was performed without prior notification to the national team’s medical staff, who only learned of the details through a report received at 10:40 p.m. last night, which indicated a medical recommendation for rest for 7-10 days,” RFEF said in a statement. “In view of this situation, and prioritising the player’s health, safety and well-being at all times, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has taken the decision to release the player from the current squad.” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente described the situation as something he had not come across previously. “The thing is, these things happen outside the federation, that’s how it is, that’s how it happens, you have to accept it ...,” De la Fuente told Radio Nacional de Espana (RNE).