FIFA must silence strip-poker "liar"

Spain defender Sergio Ramos today urged FIFA to denounce the Brazilian journalist who claimed that the world champions had played strip-poker during an alcohol-fuelled party at the Confederations Cup.

The report, which appeared on website Globo Esporte, said members of the Spain squad had invited women back to their rooms following the opening 2-1 win over Uruguay in Recife on June 16.

Reports subsequently emerged that some of Spain’s players had been robbed, and in a statement released on Monday, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the allegations, but rubbished the reports of the party.

The RFEF said it “denies completely” the allegations against Spain’s players and said that “six players of the national team were the object of a burglary in the team hotel” in Recife.

Spain reported the thefts to the police, but the hotel denied the claims of a burglary.

Speaking at a press conference today, Ramos urged world governing body FIFA to take action against those responsible for the reports.

“The federation has released a statement. We’d like FIFA to denounce the liar who’s trying to make a name for himself on the back of a generation of players who’ve shown that they are the best team of the last few years,” he said.

“You can’t play with the reputation of a country like Spain, which has a very clean image, and you can’t play with the families, fiancees and children that we might have.

“Calling all that into question by inventing a story like that is very serious. We hope that the law puts them in their place and that we’re left to pursue our own path.”

Ramos played down suggestions that the report about the party was a deliberate ploy by the Brazilian media to destabilise Spain, who are the favourites to face Brazil in the final on Sunday.

“I don’t know if it’s a strategy from them, but the national team are not going to be destabilised by stories of no importance,” he said.

“Brazil have welcomed us with lots of affection.”

Spain play Italy in the semi-finals in Fortaleza on Thursday, a day after Brazil meet Uruguay in Belo Horizonte.