Marcus Rashford at centre of Barcelona saga as accusations made after Lamine Yamal incident

Marcus Rashford was dropped from Barcelona’s line-up last month after being late to a team meeting and reports in Spain have claimed that the same punishment wasn’t handed to Lamine Yamal

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has dismissed speculation that Marcus Rashford received harsher treatment than Lamine Yamal over disciplinary matters. Spanish media reports suggested club hierarchy ‘forced’ Flick to select Yamal for the Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, despite the youngster turning up late to a team meeting.

Rashford was, meanwhile, benched for September’s La Liga clash with Getafe for an identical breach of protocol. Claims emerged that Yamal’s handling represented ‘double standards’.

But Flick has firmly rejected the accusations and maintained that he holds full authority over discipline. “I’d like to know where you’re getting that rumour from,” he said.

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“It’s b*******. It’s not true. At this club, with Deco and the rest of the professionals, I have a real relationship. I believe in my work. I have their trust, and they wouldn’t ask us for it. It’s rubbish. Whoever said it lied.”

Rashford has made an impressive start with the Catalan heavyweights following his season-long loan switch from Manchester United. The England star, now 27, has netted three goals and registered five assists across his opening 10 appearances, while also winning back his place in the Three Lions squad.

Despite facing criticism from Spanish media after his tardiness last month, sporting director Deco confirmed the club were ‘happy’ with his adaptation to Barcelona. “He’s on a simple loan, there’s no penalty, and if we want him, we have an option to buy,” the ex-Barca playmaker told Mundo Deportivo.

“It’s too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we’re happy with him. What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing.

“He’s a very high-level player – who exploded very early – then he had great seasons at United, then he had years of more complicated management with changes of coaches, and perhaps he struggled too because they demanded a lot of things from him there. But we’re happy with him, that’s the most important thing.

“These aren’t decisions for now. Now it’s time to focus on the games to come. A decision will be made, but that’s not being discussed right now. There’s a contract between the clubs, but it [the future] has to be discussed.”

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