The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has denied reports in Brazil that players were partying the night of a robbery at their hotel.
Whilst staying in Recife for the first few days of the Confederations Cup, members of the national side were the victims of a robbery, with it alleged that several players had had money taken from their rooms.
Globoesporte yesterday alleged that the robbery, which took place on the evening of the team’s 2-1 win against Uruguay, occurred on the same night that the players had hired a samba group and were partying and drinking until 1am in the morning.
It was further alleged that five players and one member of the technical team then went back to one room with women present at the party to play ‘strip poker’ and only after their departure in the morning, was it noticed that the money had gone.
This version of events has now been denied via an official statement released by the RFEF.
“The Royal Spanish Football Federataion denies the facts distributed by Brazilian media that undermine the good name of the Spanish football team and the reputation and professionalism of its players,” read the statement.
“Six of the team’s players were the subject of a robbery at the team hotel in Recife during the course of the Spain-Uruguay match. That fact was reported in due course to Brazilian police.
“The complaint does not involve any attacks against the organising committee nor against FIFA, much less against a country like Brazil, who has hosted the Spanish national team with open arms.
“Such circumstances could have happened anywhere in the world, including Spain.
“Subsequently, there have shed a number aspersions on our players, the RFEF rejects these entirely, because they damage the honour of our players, their families and friends.
“This fact will not in any way disrupt the Spanish team’s sporting performance. It has raised the indignation of the RFEF because it has only intended to harm the good name of the Spanish team’s players that for many years have shown their good work, professionalism and have been exemplary.”
