Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa is freezing out Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez.
Fans hurled abuse at the two players during training yesterday and they have both been dropped for the opening Liga game against Betis.
"Nobody ever said that I'd leave if Llorente and Martinez went," said Bielsa in a Press conference.
"I am satisfied with the team with or without Llorente. It is a difficult situation, because all the positions are understandable.
"Llorente is exercising his rights, while the club and the fans are understandable too, aside from the method of the protest which I do not share."