AS.com

The Spanish Football Federation is refusing to bow to pressure from Bareclona and will keep Jordi Alba in its squad for the Olympic Games in London. Andoni Zubizarreta, Barça's sporting director, suggested yesterday that the club ask that the player be removed from the list of players for the event: "We should look out for our interests."

But Luis Milla, the coach for the Olympics, rejected the possibility of doing without the player. Four of the 22 men called up for London will be dropped, but in no case will Jordi Alba be one of those. "I'm very calm. I know the player's position and also ours. I spoke with the boy and he wants to come to the Games."

Asked if the Federation would finally be swayed by Barça's demands, he commented: "Here we're not going to give way to anybody. We'll assess the situation on the basis that the FEF and Jordi Alba are quite clear about their positions." On Zubizarreta's statement, he said: "Barcelona is a model club. I won't value any protest."