The 19-year-old was left out of Spain’s squad for Thursday’s trip to Prague to face the Czech Republic after experiencing discomfort during Barcelona’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Medical tests conducted in Barcelona reportedly revealed inflammation and fluid in his knee, prompting doctors to recommend that he take additional time to rest.

Speaking on Wednesday, November 11, De la Fuente explained that the decision to leave Yamal out of the trip was aimed at giving the youngster enough time to recover before joining the national team.

The Spain manager confirmed that the forward was undergoing rehabilitation exercises under the supervision of his physiotherapist and Barcelona’s medical team, adding that his recovery was progressing positively.

“We believe, I’m optimistic, that on Friday he’ll be with us,” De la Fuente said.

Yamal, who finished third in the October Ballon d’Or voting, is expected to join the Spanish squad on Friday. However, his availability for Sunday’s encounter against England will depend on his physical condition.

Meanwhile, De la Fuente dismissed suggestions that the Barcelona youngster receives special treatment within the national team, insisting that all players are treated equally.

He maintained that Spain would have taken the same decision if another member of the squad had been dealing with a similar injury.

The registrar, who spoke to a reporter during an enquiry, said the judge was attending to cases in court, contradicting claims that he had been rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, for emergency medical treatment.

The viral report had alleged that Justice Lifu suddenly developed respiratory complications and that arrangements were underway to fly him abroad after attempts to treat him in Abuja reportedly failed.

However, the registrar challenged those spreading the claims to visit the court and confirm that the judge was present.

The reports emerged amid public reactions to Justice Lifu’s recent judgment nullifying the candidacy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

The registrar’s account of the judge’s presence in court and participation in judicial proceedings directly contradicts the central claims circulating on social media.

The development has renewed concerns over the spread of unverified information, particularly involving public officials and judicial officers whose decisions may attract strong public reactions.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an investigation into a viral video showing the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, distributing cash and wrappers at an All Progressives Congress (APC) event in Rivers State.

Naija News reports that the party’s presidential campaign council, through its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the incident.

In the viral video, the minister was seen handing bundles of cash to women alongside bales of wrappers bearing the APC logo.

She was also captured distributing envelopes displaying the images of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Shaibu accused the ruling party of attempting to secure support for Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the ADC would no longer remain silent over what it described as the use of money and material gifts to influence voters.