The Spanish national team with Vicente del Bosque at the helm never understood why there were so many friendlies, says the newspaper El Mundo, alluding to the ongoing corruption trial involving the national federation chief Angel Maria Villar.

“Del Bosque explained in a resigned tone that he had spoken to the federation but they told him that they made five million euros per game and so they had to take advantage,” El Mundo quotes an unnamed then member of the national team as saying.

“Let’s see where the Federation sends us now” was another phrase attributed to players by the newspaper with the Spain team playing 42 friendly matches since they won the World Cup in 2010.

Villar is in prison without bail while the prosecution investigate offences including alleged fraud and misappropriation of money.

By Marca