Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is ready to stand down from Spain duty if he is deemed a "problem" by national team coach Julen Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation as a result of his support for Catalan independence.

A Spanish court will rule today whether all football competitions in the country, including Primera Division games, will be played this weekend.

Ambiguous reactions in Spain to Real Betis fan chants, which caused dismay outside the country, have again shown how the idea of collective responsibility is missing at most La Liga clubs.

Spanish football is proposing a stadium ban on all radical supporter groups, known as ultras, after violent clashes on Sunday led to the death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has stayed tight-lipped on the subject of his eight-match ban, apart from saying he has “great respect” for the decision-makers in the Spanish game.

Barcelona have failed in their bid to overturn a FIFA transfer embargo and will be unable to sign players next year.

Diego Costa and Fernando Torres have been included in Spain’s final squad for the World Cup, but Manchester City pair Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas were left out.

Fifa’s one-year transfer ban on Barcelona shows how concerned the world football authorities are to uphold their regulations about the transfer of young players.

Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla may have been expecting the question, but he was still hesitant with his answer.

Spain have dismissed a Brazilian media story accusing them of hosting a party at their hotel in Recife with alcohol, women and a game of strip-poker after their Confederations Cup opener against Uruguay last week.

The Spanish Football Federation has released an official statement denying a report published by the Brazilian newspaper Globoesporte into events that took place after Spain’s opening Confederations Cup match with Uruguay in Recife.

Spanish soccer continues to reach new heights.

Fernando Torres is thrilled he will have a role to play for Spain at Euro 2012 after a difficult first full season at Chelsea.

Republic of Ireland group rivals Spain will defend their European Championship crown without striker David Villa.

The Republic of Ireland will have one less superstar to thwart at Euro 2012 next month after Spain striker David Villa was last night ruled out of the competition.

Real Madrid defender Pepe has been handed a two-match ban while coach Jose Mourinho and midfielder Mesut Ozil have each been suspended for one game following Wednesday’s ill-tempered Primera Division match with Villarreal.

IT was derby day in Barcelona on Sunday just as it was in Manchester.

Jose Mourinho's tumultuous relationship with Barcelona took another twist yesterday after the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced the Real Madrid manager was under investigation for his role in a mass brawl at the end of last week's Spanish Super Cup.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has withdrawn from Spain’s squad for their friendly against Colombia on Wednesday.

Liverpool are hoping Fernando Torres will be fit to play early this season after learning his latest injury is not as bad as feared.

CESC Fabregas has raised hopes he will be fit for Spain’s World Cup semi-final against Germany tonight by training with his team-mates last night.

Cesc Fabregas could be fit to play in tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final match against Germany.

ON the final day, The Greatest League in the World (copyright: Spanish Football Federation) ended with a whimper, not a bang.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres returns to the club's Melwood training ground tomorrow where his injured right knee will continue to be assessed.

The Spanish Football Federation have asked state prosecutors to look into allegations of match-fixing in the Primera Liga at the end of the 2006/07 season.

EUROPEAN champions Spain have appointed Vicente Del Bosque as their new coach following a meeting of the Spanish Football Federation assembly last night.

FIFA’s decision to ask the Spanish Football Federation to monitor Real Madrid’s conduct in the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga has come as a pleasant surprise to Manchester United.

FIFA yesterday announced they will not take any formal action against Real Madrid over Manchester United’s complaint about the Spanish club’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sevilla have asked UEFA to switch the date of their UEFA Cup tie against Tottenham.

Spain coach Luis Aragones has successfully appealed a €3,000 fine handed to him for making derogatory comments about Thierry Henry.

SPAIN coach Luis Aragones has called up Getafe defender Mariano Pernia to replace the injured Asier Del Horno in his World Cup squad.

Spain coach Luis Aragones has called up Getafe defender Mariano Pernia to replace the injured Asier Del Horno in his World Cup squad.

BARCELONA’S Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has called on the Spanish game to show “responsibility” in cutting out racism after twice being a victim of racist chanting in recent weeks.

Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing attack on UEFA for their failure to stamp out racism in football.

BARCELONA striker Samuel Eto’o wants tougher punishments for racist abuse after being subjected to insults in a league match against Real Zaragoza.

ATLETICO Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Zaragoza last night was called off with 14 Atletico players laid low by food poisoning.

CELTA VIGO’S return to Primera Liga could be in danger after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) opened an investigation into accusations the club fielded an ineligible player.

UEFA will not “put pressure” on the Spanish Football Federation after Atletico Madrid were fined a meagre €600 for the racist behaviour of their fans during Sunday’s derby game with Real Madrid.

Arsene Wenger has criticised FIFA’s decision to fine Spain for the racist abuse of England players and insisted only a stark threat to ban them from the World Cup would have been an effective deterrent.

ARSENAL defender Ashley Cole is ready to start talks on a new contract despite reported interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Spain escaped with a fine for the racist taunting of England players partly because the referee did not mention the abuse at all in his match report.