Real Mallorca have suspended Dani Rodriguez and stripped him of his captaincy role following the midfielder’s criticism of head coach Jagoba Arrasate.
Rodriguez took to social media to vent his frustration after being left on the bench in favour of new teenage signing Jan Virgili for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid.
Virgili was sent on by Arrasate for his debut two days after arriving at the club from Barcelona and Rodriguez, 37 and in his eighth season with Mallorca, after the match expressed his anger at being overlooked.
Rodriguez wrote in an Instagram story: “I deeply understand and respect that the decisions regarding who plays are solely and exclusively the coach’s. They are his responsibility, and I always abide by them.
“What I cannot accept is the lack of respect for commitment and dedication.
“It pains me that a player who has just arrived, with just one training session, has the opportunity to play ahead of team-mates who have spent years defending this jersey with sweat and dedication, always putting the club above all else.”
He continued: “I hope Jan succeeds here and we can all help him. But something like this happening sends a terrible message to the dressing room: work, dedication or loyalty don’t matter. That’s what angered me.”
A club statement on Wednesday morning read: “RCD Mallorca announces that Dani Rodríguez has been suspended from employment and salary. The club has also stripped him of his captaincy with immediate effect.”
