Spain's De la Fuente Defends RFEF Amid Finalissima Fallout
Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente defends the Royal Spanish Football Federation in the aftermath of the collapsed Finalissima match with Argentina. De la Fuente places responsibility on Argentina for the fixture's failure despite extensive planning on Spain's part.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has broken his silence to defend the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) amid fallout from the collapsed Finalissima between La Roja and Argentina, with the manager placing responsibility for the fixture's collapse on the South American nation. The match, which would have pitted the European champions against the world champions, never materialised despite months of planning.The RFEF had been prepared to stage the game in Doha, and De la Fuente revealed the preparations were well advanced before everything unravelled. Argentina and CONMEBOL have pointed the finger at UEFA and their Spanish counterparts, but De la Fuente was having none of it. At a press conference ahead the international break, he attempted to clear up the mixed reports. "You all know that my intention was to play in the Finalissima. I've always said that. Playing against Argentina, winning a title - both I and the RFEF were ready to play this match," he said. "Two can't play if one doesn't want to, and we wanted to play. I've always said that." De la Fuente also made it clear that the Finalissima had been viewed as more than just a prestige occasion. "It was a unique match. We wanted to win it with the players who could give us a chance to compete for a World Cup. We haven't been together since November. For us, it was important to make up for this opportunity," he added.De la Fuente revealed that Spain had mapped out detailed plans for the match regardless of the venue, with Doha the agreed location before the fixture eventually fell through. The suggestion that the RFEF were anything less than fully committed was met with a scowl from the Spaniard. "Everything was planned to play in Doha. We changed the plan a little, but not much. But we wanted to play in Doha, in Buenos Aires," he said. The match had generated plenty of excitement on both sides, with a contest between the European and world champions carrying obvious appeal as a final tune-up before this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.When pressed on whether the loss of the Argentina fixture had changed his squad selection for the upcoming friendlies, De la Fuente gave a very short answer. "I know what we've done. I don't know what would have happened. In any case, if they're here, it's because they're very good," he said.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingDespite the lingering frustration over the Finalissima, De la Fuente was keen to redirect attention towards the immediate task at hand. Spain are among the frontrunners for this summer's World Cup, having won Euro 2024 with a brand of football widely regarded as the most attractive in the international game, and he has no desire to dwell on what might have been. "We're already playing in the World Cup on Monday," he said.
Defending the RFEF
Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente has come forward to speak in defense of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in the wake of the controversy surrounding the canceled Finalissima match against Argentina. De la Fuente points fingers at the South American nation for the match collapse, despite Spain's strong readiness to compete.
Initial Preparations and Intentions
De la Fuente emphasized that both he and the RFEF were fully prepared and eager to play in the much-anticipated Finalissima match. The coach expressed his disappointment over the missed opportunity to compete against the world champions and viewed the match as a crucial opportunity to assess the team's readiness for the upcoming World Cup.
Detailed Planning and Venue Controversy
Spain had meticulously planned for the match, with Doha being the agreed-upon venue before the unexpected turn of events. De la Fuente dismissed any suggestions that the RFEF lacked commitment to the fixture and underscored the importance of the encounter as a major test before the World Cup.
A Look Ahead
Despite the disappointment over the canceled match, De la Fuente swiftly shifted focus towards Spain's immediate future, highlighting the team's participation in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The coach remains positive about Spain's prospects and aims to channel the frustration towards ensuring a successful campaign.





