Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has defended the Federation after losing Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz to Morocco.

Many Spanish pundits believe Brahim's decision is a blow for the country.

De la Fuente said today: “I think I made it quite clear. The decision is made by him, before announcing the pre-list on March 1. If you don't want to be there, with all the love and respect, he accepts himself with total normality. After everything became clear yesterday, everyone is where they want to be. I have a lot of affection for him, I am the coach who has selected him the most. This is where the debate ends.

“He has not demanded anything, from me personally. When I talk about conditions, I speak in a general way, as a maxim that I have in the federation. No footballer can demand anything. He has not demanded anything, because he had nothing to demand. He wanted to play for Morocco.

“It's a maxim we have. Whoever wants to come to the National Team has to come under the same conditions as the others. Whoever comes, he does it because he wants to come. The coach is within his rights to want to select him. He has accepted another proposal."

Asked why he had not spoken to Brahim, De la Fuente continued: “I speak about the demand in a general way. Those who want to come come. I don't call any players. I normally talk to injured players, I don't talk to anyone else. Brahim was the same as other players who could come. He has chosen Morocco, I wish him all the best, and I thank him for what he has given to the team. He is a great footballer.

“I didn't call him because it was impossible to bring him. From November to March there are no possibilities, there is no call. A pre-list, on March 1, is the only thing we could do. There is a document from March 9 in which he renounces playing for Spain. You are giving an opinion without knowing the truth. He has decided to play for Morocco. Total and absolute respect. I have done what I could do.

"It shocks you to talk about equality. All his colleagues are in the same situation as him. I call who I have to call, I talk to who I have to talk to. I don't know who eats with whom. There is impressive work in the Federation to recruit footballers. Of 115 players, more than 100 want to come with us. I want to highlight Laporte, Le Normand, Mosquera, Huijsen, Lamine, who have chosen to play with us."