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MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente defended Lamine Yamal against suggestions of preferential treatment after the forward was allowed to join the national team\u2019s training camp later than the rest of the squad.<\/p>\n
Yamal did not travel for Spain\u2019s Nations League game against the Czech Republic on Thursday because of a knee issue, but he was expected to be available for the match against England on Sunday.<\/p>\n
De la Fuente said he was upset with the coverage of Yamal\u2019s delayed arrival, with some media reports suggesting that Yamal was being treated differently from other players. He said the Barcelona forward has inflammation in his right knee.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur medical staff assessed him, and I decided that, to avoid the trip, it would be better for him to stay home for treatment with his club,\u201d De la Fuente said Wednesday. \u201cLamine doesn\u2019t have any special privileges. We would have done this for any other player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Real Sociedad player Mikel Oyarzabal was also expected to join the national team late while recovering from the flu in San Sebastian.<\/p>\n
The Spanish federation said Monday that Yamal reported discomfort in his right knee following Barcelona\u2019s 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat hurts me most is the lying, the lack of rigor, the absence of truthfulness and the fabrication,\u201d De la Fuente said Wednesday. \u201cThat is why I\u2019ve shared more than I perhaps should have, but it is the only way for people to know the truth. I can\u2019t stand people who try to deceive you and lie.\u201d<\/p>\n
The coach said Yamal\u2019s recovery was being monitored and he had talked to the player both on Tuesday and on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recovery is going well, and we believe he will be with us on Friday,\u201d De la Fuente said.<\/p>\n
Defending world champion Spain lead their Nations League group with 12 points from four matches, three points more than second-place England. The Spaniards have already qualified for the quarterfinals. Croatia have three points and the Czech Republic have zero points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n