The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) sacked Julen Lopetegui following his agreement with Real Madrid, and it has been said that Gerard Pique had to stop captain Sergio Ramos and the man who made the decision, Luis Rubiales, from fighting.
Lopetegui was relieved from his duties as Spain boss on Tuesday, a day before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, after Spanish giants Real announced he was going to be their new manager once the tournament had finished.
RFEF president Luis Rubiales was furious at the agreement between Lopetegui and Los Blancos, and revealed to the public that everything was done behind his back.
While the decision to sack Lopetegui shocked many, it was also reported that some of Spain’s key players tried to persuade Rubiales to let the manager continue.
According to OK Diario journalist, Eduardo Inda, things got so heated between Ramos and the president that FC Barcelona defender Pique had to be there during the conversation to make sure tensions did not reach a boiling point.
Inda said that “the two (Ramos and Rubiales) squared up, no one hit anyone but everything was said. There was shouting from both sides. The level of tension was huge, Gerard Pique had to intervene and meditate so that things didn’t get more serious.”
It is believed that Rubiales was angered that Spanish media were reporting that Lopetegui would continue as manager, a message he felt certain players sent to the press in order to put pressure on the RFEF.
The report claims that Ramos left his frustrations be known, and that he told Rubiales that Spain are going to be the joke of the tournament. However, it is believed that the Real defender and president eventually reached an understanding, and even ended their conversation with a hug.
Credit : Soccerladuma
