SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Sergio Ramos, Spain captain:

It's true that this week hasn't been easy for any of us because politics and sports have clashed. That's the first mistake, but I think the national team managed to separate them. The other day I thought it was better not to give a press conference, not because I see myself as a spokesman for the country or any political party but because I'm Spain's captain. I wanted to talk first with my coach (Jolen Lopetegui) and with (Gerard) Pique and stand apart from all this. As I said before, it's a mistake to mix sport with politics, but above all we have a common goal and that is qualification for the Russia World Cup. That's the objective of the whole team."