RAMOS BUST-UP
Captain rows with Spain’s FA chief over axed coach
SERGIO RamOs had to be separated from the president of the spanish Fa in a heated row over the sacking of Julen Lopetegui.
President Luis Rubiales met Ramos, David silva, Gerard Pique and andres Iniesta yesterday as the spain players made their case for national coach Lopetegui not to be sacked for signing with Real madrid on the eve of the finals.
according to spanish TV station La Sexta, Pique had to separate captain Ramos and Rubiales when the president told the Real madrid defender he would not change his mind.
Last night the mud- slinging continued between the spanish Fa and Real madrid, whose president Florentino Perez presented Lopetegui just after spain’s pre-Portugal match press conference and labelled the decision to sack him ‘absurd’.
‘We reached an agreement with Lopetegui to take over after the World Cup, respecting his contract,’ said Perez. ‘It needed to be made public to avoid rumour and leaks that could affect the team.
‘We then thought there would be a press conference between the Federation and Lopetegui but there was a reaction of pride from Rubiales which has disrespected madrid. There have been past cases, such as antonio Conte and Louis van Gaal, where coaches agreed to move on before or during competition.
‘We wanted to do this after another spain success, but circumstances have dictated that we are here now.’
Lopetegui, who signed a twoyear extension to his spain deal only last month, was in tears as he took the Bernabeu stage.
He said: ‘Yesterday was the saddest day of my life since the death of my mother, but this is the happiest day of my life. This is an emotional day. Thank you, President. Thank you, madrid, for your trust and responsibility. I take a lot of pride.’
Lopetegui insisted spain’s players had had no problem with him staying on for the World Cup, explaining: ‘When they knew the news we had the best training session of the week.’
He then added he would still watch tonight’s Portugal clash. He said: ‘I’ll get behind them like any spaniard. We’ll have a great World Cup, despite everything.’