Overview

• Spain’s federation says established medical protocol was followed, noting Lamine Yamal said he felt fit before Turkey and was treated by the same physio he sees at Barcelona.
• Barcelona has circulated disputed messages claiming Spain administered a Voltaren spinal injection because the player could not leave the hotel and had asked not to play.
• The 18-year-old played more than 70 minutes across matches against Bulgaria and Turkey, then missed Valencia and will not face Newcastle in Barcelona’s Champions League opener.
• Barcelona coach Hansi Flick criticized Spain for using painkillers to get the winger on the pitch, while sporting director Deco is pushing for closer coordination with the RFEF.
• The federation cites examples of players sent home when unfit and describes Yamal’s frustration over a substitution as a typical reaction from a young player.