Spain have submitted a formal complaint to FIFA after they were made to shoot at goal in a penalty shootout against Russia. Fernando Hierro’s side are extremely upset at being made to do anything other than pass the ball sideways at the end of their round of 16 tie in Moscow.
The 2010 champions were eliminated as Koke and Iago Aspas had their reluctant spot-kicks saved by Igor Akinfeev. Unofficial spokesman for the Spanish Football Federation, Leo Satchez, said: “It’s unfair to make our players shoot. “Penalties are no good for our pass completion percentage.
“If it’s still a draw after 120 minutes then the team with the most five-yard sideways passes should win. Simple as that.“Did you know that we were the first team in over 50 years to complete over 1,000 passes in a World Cup game?