SANTIAGO, March 15-- Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo turned down selection for Chile's national squad after team officials refused to meet his demands, the country's football federation chief said on Thursday. The 34-year-old was originally included on coach Reinaldo Rueda's 24-man list for friendlies against Sweden and Denmark later this month before withdrawing on Wednesday. "Any player can make suggestions or recommendations and its up to the coaching staff to heed them or not," Chile's football federation president Arturo Salah told T13 Radio. "But it's something else to subject your availability to those conditions." According to media reports, the former Barcelona player made the decision after officials rejected his request to allow goalkeeping coach Julio Rodriguez to travel with the squad. Bravo took to social media on Thursday to explain his absence. "I had a very cordial meeting with Reinaldo Rueda in Manchester, where I told him that I would be delighted to participate in this new process," he said. "The only thing I said was that I was worried about a topic that is very important for me: my preparation and training, reasons that the federation was already aware of. "I haven't received any call from the federation or Arturo Salah to resolve this matter. For this reason I had already scheduled a trip with my family. I deeply regret that they are calling me up against my will, I consider that I have earned a minimum of respect in the Chilean national team. I hope you understand my refusal in this opportunity." |