RAMOS IN BUST-UP WITH SPANISH FA CHIEF

SERGIO RAMOS had to be separated from the president of the Spanish FA after a heated row over the sacking of Julen Lopetegui. President Luis Rubiales met Ramos, who captains the national side, along with Gerard Pique, David Silva and Andres Iniesta as the players made their case for head coach Lopetegui not to be sacked for having signed with Real Madrid on the eve of the World Cup. According to Spanish TV station La Sexta, Pique had to step in to separate Ramos and Rubiales when the president told the Madrid defender he would not be changing his mind over axing the coach. Last night, there was no lull in the mud-slinging between the Spanish national team and Real Madrid. Club president Florentino Perez timed

the presentation of Lopetegui just after Spain’s pre-match press conference and labelled the decision to sack him ahead of tonight’s opener against Portugal as ‘absurd’. He said: ‘Real Madrid had reached an agreement with Lopetegui for him to take over after the World Cup, respecting his contract. ‘It needed to be made public for it to be transparent and to avoid rumour and leaks that could affect the team. ‘This agreement seemed normal and we then thought there would be a press conference between the Federation and Lopetegui. ‘But there was a reaction of pride from the president (Rubiales) which has disrespected Real Madrid. ‘There have been cases in the past such as (Antonio) Conte and (Louis) Van Gaal where coaches have agreed to move on from national teams before or during competition.’ Lopetegui, who signed a two-year contract extension with Spain last month, was in tears as he took the stage at the Bernabeu. He said: ‘Yesterday (Wednesday) 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 (Florentino Perez) and thank you Real Madrid for your trust in me and this responsibility.’ Perez blasted Rubiales, saying: ‘We wanted to do this after the World Cup after another Spain success but circumstances have dictated that we are here now.’ And addressing his new coach, he said: ‘We knew you had two dreams that were perfectly compatible — take Spain into the finals and then coach your beloved Real Madrid.’ Lopetegui said the Spain players had no problem with him staying in the job until the end of the World Cup. He said: ‘When the players knew the news, we had the best training session of the week so they had no problem at all with it.’ Lopetegui soon had his Real Madrid head on, declaring: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo is a player I always want to have. The best player in the world is at Real Madrid, without any doubt.’ He had previously called Lionel Messi the greatest player of all-time. Lopetegui also said he will watch tonight’s game, adding: ‘I will get behind the team, like all Spaniards. We will have a great World Cup.’