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). “I don’t think it’s very normal.
“Of course (surprised), like everyone else, you don’t know, you haven’t heard anything, you don’t know any details, and then they tell you, I insist, and on top of that, there’s the health issue, so you’re surprised.”
Yamal, capped 23 times, has netted six goals and contributed six assists in 11 matches this season for Barcelona.
Spain top Group E with 12 points from four matches, scoring 15 goals and conceding none.
They face Georgia on Saturday in Tbilisi before hosting Turkiye on Tuesday in Seville.
Spain will qualify for the finals if they defeat Georgia and Turkiye do not beat Bulgaria or if they draw and Turkiye lose.
Yamal released from Spain squad after medical treatment
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Yamal released from Spain squad after medical treatment
- The 18-year-old Barcelona winger had a radiofrequency operation on Monday
- Spain manager Luis de la Fuente described the situation as something he had not come across previously
Man United climb to third, Fulham sink sorry Spurs
- Red Devils have taken their tally to 19 points from a possible 21
LONDON: Benjamin Sesko stretched his hot streak with the winning goal as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to go third in the Premier League, while Tottenham failed to dispel relegation fears after defeat at Fulham.
Sesko was handed his first start in seven games since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford and rewarded his boss with another vital goal to edge United closer to a return to the Champions League.
Palace had taken an early lead at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix outmuscled Leny Yoro to guide in a header from Brennan Johnson’s corner.
But United hit back to remain unbeaten under Carrick and take their tally to 19 points from a possible 21.
The game swung on one incident as Lacroix was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling back Matheus Cunha just before the hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes confidently stroked the resulting spot kick past former teammate Dean Henderson.
Fernandes was then the creator for the second as his curling cross was powered in by Sesko.
The Slovenian has now scored seven times in his last eight appearances to quieten critics of his £74 million ($100 million) price tag after a slow start to his career in England.
Tottenham remain perilously poised just four points above the relegation zone as interim boss Igor Tudor again failed to halt their alarming slide after a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave Fulham a deserved half-time lead as they moved up to ninth and back into contention for European football next season.
Richarlison headed in a late consolation for Tottenham, but they remain the only Premier League side without a win in 2026.
The one crumb of comfort for Spurs was defeat for relegation rivals Nottingham Forest, 2-1 at Brighton.
All three goals arrived in the first 15 minutes as Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck netted for the Seagulls either side of Morgan Gibbs-White’s reply.
Forest sit two points above the drop zone ahead of a daunting trip to Manchester City on Wednesday.
