“We protect them, but they are free” | Relief

Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish coach, responded to criticism of John Uriarte, the president of Athletic Club Bilbao, against the Spanish federation, saying that “he did not know how to defend Nico Williams” and confirmed that the leader was “unlucky”.

“Niko is a footballer who is very loyal to Athletic, who was over-bombarded with questions about his future and without control, when he is focused on playing in the European Cup with the Spanish Football Federation, which, in our opinion, does not know how to protect him,” Uriarte complained at a press conference.

Luis de la Fuente responded by concentrating the Spanish team in Donaueschingen. “He was completely unlucky with this statement,” he criticized RNE.

“We fully and absolutely protect the football players, but they are free.We know that no matter how professional you are, “What happens outside continues to happen, and we give naturalness to these situations.”he added.

De la Fuente assured that he himself communicates with Niko, as well as with other footballers who decided their future during the Eurocup, and stated that the forward is focused only on the Eurocup.

“We spoke to the players and they are focused on what is happening here. How they then answer these questions in interviews, how they deal with these moments, depends on the footballer, who can say whether he wants to talk about it or not, he has the freedom to say yes or no.”– the coach assured.

“There is his freedom, his maturity and professionalism. I don’t doubt them, they don’t talk about anything foreign because we are a hermetic bubble, but things are happening outside that need to be made natural.”– he pronounced the verdict.