Unai Simon has leapt to the defence of Inigo Martinez amid claims he didn’t really want to be part of the Spain squad for the Nations League games against the Netherlands.
Inigo was back in the squad after a long time away from international football but pulled out after picking up a knee injury against Atletico.
Reporter Roberto Morales told Cope: “There is a feeling within the RFEF that Iñigo Martínez did not want to be called up again” and this claim was put to Simon at a press conference on Tuesday.
Here’s what he had to say:
“I haven’t spoken to him. I think it’s wrong to doubt a player like Iñigo Martínez. If there’s a statement saying he’s injured, a medical report, it seems disrespectful to ignore the player and also to embarrass the Barcelona doctors,” he said.
“I’m sure Iñigo really wanted to come here and didn’t come because of his injury. Whatever is being said seems disrespectful to a teammate in Spain and at Athletic Club. He doesn’t deserve what’s being said about him.”
Martinez is expected to be out for a couple of weeks, while Marc Casado also withdrew with a knee issue and may not play again this season.