Spain plain - no talking

It’s clear that these long trips are not enjoyable for any of the players. Sergio Ramos Spain defender

Madrid – Spain’s national team will travel to Equatorial Guinea today for a friendly game three days before taking on South Africa, and the country’s football federation won’t say why.

The decision to play in the former Spanish colony has drawn the ire of the country’s opposition in exile group in Madrid, and raised questions about what benefit the World Cup champions expect to get from playing a team ranked 119th in the world.

The federation said they will not be paid any extra fees to play. When directly asked why the game is being played, federation president Angel Maria Villar refused to answer.

Spanish players have reportedly refused to pose for photographs with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who is Africa’s longestserving strongman and accused of human rights violations.

Spain will become the first nation from outside Africa to play in Malabo since Obiang took power in 1979. Equatorial Guinea is coached by former Spain international Andoni Goikoetxea.

More than 14 000 people have joined the opposition group in calling for the match to be halted by signing a petition on change. org.

Amnesty International, EG Justice and Human Rights Watch are among those who have criticised Obiang’s government over issues such as politically motivated arrests and lack of freedom of speech. Obiang seized power in a coup.

Spain striker Fernando Llorente was asked his opinion of the situation, but team spokeswoman Paloma Antoranz interjected and said the players would not answer any questions.

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, above, was critical of another extended travel plan that will see the team return to South Africa to take on Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, their first trip to the country since it won the World Cup there in 2010. –