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Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick publicly stated that he told teenage star Lamine Yamal he disapproved of the player waving a Palestinian flag during the team's recent title celebrations.
In comments made at a press conference, Flick explained that footballers should focus on the sport and meet expectations from fans, rather than engaging in actions he views as distractions.
Hansi Flick furious warning to Lamine Yamal after controversial Palestinian flag celebration
Flick described the incident as something that normally doesn't please him and noted he had spoken directly to Yamal, while acknowledging the player's personal decision. Flick said:
“This I normally don’t like, I spoke with him, and I said if he wants this, he is old enough, he is 18 years old, and its his decision.”
The Barcelona head coach added:
"We are playing football, and you can see, what the people expect from us. When I see the crowd, they were very emotional, tears in their eyes. They were really happy that we won again, this fantastic title, the second in a row, and this is why we are playing football.”
The remarks have sparked debate among fans, with some praising Flick for keeping politics out of football and others defending Yamal's gesture as a humanitarian expression. The young forward, a key figure in Barcelona's success, was seen waving the flag amid jubilant street celebrations captured in widely circulated video footage.
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