Gayà: "I don't understand why my suspension was upheld and in other cases nothing has happened"

The captain of Valencia CF, José Luis Gayà, spoke to the media on Friday regarding a 4-match suspension for comments made after last season's game against CA Osasuna, ratified by the TAD (Administrative Court of Sport). He was accompanied by the club's Director General, Sean Bai, coach Gennaro Gattuso, the other first team captains and club employees, who showed support for the fullback.

Gaya's introduction
The first thing I want to do is thank Sean for his words, all the directors who are here, the coach, the captains... It is very important that they are here today. They are fundamental for me and I am glad to know that we are all in this together.

As captain of Valencia CF, do you think this is a direct attack on the club?
No. Honestly I don't. It's my issue; obviously the club are behind me, but it's my issue and mine alone.

How are you feeling? We have never seen such a reaction from you.
I'm sad and a little disappointed, because I think it's a disproportionate sanction. It's a four game suspension and I didn't really say anything to miss so many games. I don't want to compare myself with anyone else, but statements have been made that are at least the same as mine, for which nothing has happened, and that is what hurts me and why I am here today. We all have to be treated the same, and I don't understand why the sanction against me has been upheld and in other cases nothing has happened. That is what I can't understand and I would like someone to explain it better to me.

Do you have the feeling that because of this sanction you will lose out on your chance of going to the World Cup? Has Luis Enrique called you to give you encouragement?
I know it's a handicap not being able to start the season, but you know me: Like I said yesterday, I'm going to fight for my dreams. The dream of every child and every footballer is to be able to play in a World Cup and I'm going to keep trying my best. In these four weeks I have to work even harder, so that when I have the opportunity to play again, I will be at my highest level. I'm not ruling out going to the World Cup, far from it. It is up to the coach to decide, but I am going to give everything as I always do. The coach has not called me.

Do you feel like a scapegoat? Do you think the same thing would have happened to you if you played for another club?
I don't think about that. I'm a professional player in every way and I can't think that at all. That doesn't cross my mind. What I don't understand are how it has been done. Valencia CF filed their appeal, and they have taken 42 days to answer, the TAD have met 7 times... And it wasn't until the seventh time that they brought up my issue, having brought up other issues that came about later than mine. I didn't like that. The coach could have prepared for the start of LaLiga in a different way, and me too. It's something I don't understand how, with one day left before LaLiga starts, they tell me if I can play or not. I can't get my head around it.

Do you think that this suspension could be due to the delicate relationship that Valencia CF have with the RFEF?
Neither Valencia CF nor the RFEF have ever told me that there is a problem between them. I trust them.

Are you going to renew your contract with Valencia CF?
This is not a press conference to talk about my renewal, but you all know what I want and the understanding is good between us.

Is this punishment going to lead to you appearing less in the media from now on?
I haven't even had time to think about it, really. Regarding the statements that I was suspended for, I said that we had seen the penalty incident at halftime, we spoke to the referee, saying that he had VAR to use and help him, and at no time did I disrespect anyone. I've been playing football for 9 years, I've never insulted any referee, I have the utmost respect for them and that's why it hurts. I have always tried to help them and that is why I am here, because of this sad situation.

Have you considered that you could receive a longer suspension because of this press conference?
No. I can't think about that. I am here to give my opinion. At no time have I disrespected anyone, nor will I. I'm not afraid of anyone, and I'm not doing anything that could harm me. I have to say what I think and defend myself, the club and my teammates. This topic has not been handled well. What I am clear about is that this is going to make me even stronger, I am going to continue giving everything, helping the team. It's what I've always done and what I always will do.

Do you regret criticising the referee?
I didn't criticise the referee. I don't regret the statement I made. The way I did it, or what I said was maybe not the best choice of words, and I can understand that, but I think they have to understand that wearing the captain's armband implies that you have to defend your teammates and your club. I didn't disrespect anyone. If there is any referee who thinks that in 9 years I have been disrespectful, let them come out and say so. I have never done that because those are not the values that my parents instilled in me.

Have you talked to Rubiales about this situation? Do you think this hinders both Valencia CF and you at the start of the LaLiga season?
I have not spoken with Rubiales. Not for the moment. I am concerned about the fact that the coach has not been able to prepare the start of the season in the best possible way. That is the reality. We all thought they were going to take away the suspension. If you stop to analyse it, it would have been the normal thing to happen, like in other cases, and I don't understand why it wasn't like that. Of course, this affects us: You no longer prepare the games the same way. I would have prepared differently. This is what I just don't understand.

Do you hope that this precedent will change something for the future and that someone reacts?
What I'm thinking about is what's going to happen this year when people speak. If I have been suspended for that and we are seeking equality, many players should be sanctioned. I don't know what's going to happen, but it's something I've thought about. We shall see. Last year other players said worse things than I did, and nothing happened to them. You have to try to treat all players in the same way, and mine is the first case in which this has happened.

Have you felt the support of the fans?
Of course I have noticed it. Since the suspension was handed down I have noticed that everybody, not only Valencia CF fans, but also football people, have got behind my situation. It is something that I will always remember. I want to thank them for all the messages.

Seeing that there are conversations between other captains directly with Rubiales and refereeing that is not the same, do you think it is necessary to talk to Rubiales?
No one has told me that there is a problem between Valencia CF and RFEF, and I believe that.