To Chesty: the very moment you enter Spanish airspace, you will be under my or one of my colleague's control; if you request descend or climb, you will do so only after you are cleared by me or one of my colleagues; if you are told to turn certain degrees or heading by me or one of my colleagues, you will comply; any request is suject to my or my colleagues authorisation; etc ... Get it?
Nightstop, here is a quote from P Perez (who has gone oddly quiet) that should explain what you heard!
Seems they value their "authority" over us more than safety.