He denied any wrongdoing when speaking earlier to the media, saying the allegations were “all lies” and that the case was with his lawyers. And he has assured his manager that the charges are groundless.
In Toulouse, his team-mates were quick to voice their backing. “It was not very nice news to receive, but when you’re with a team- mate he has the whole support of the group,” said Spain’s joint captain Sergio Ramos. “We’re not going to say anything about it, he has said what he wants to say himself.”
Ramos was not keen to rise to the suggestion from one Spanish reporter that the issue could provide the squad with a siege mentality and a source of mutual motivation.
“Could it help? Maybe, but probably not,” he said. “We’ve always had a good mentality in the squad.”
What the issue undoubtedly has done is present Del Bosque with a selection puzzle, one which he will not resolve until this morning.