The Spanish National team stands a chance of missing out from next year’s World Cup tournament as they may be banned by football’s top governing body–FIFA–for a breach of regulations.
Spain’s top football body, RFEF, has recently run foul of a FIFA statute that stipulates against the interference of government in the affairs of football bodies. The Spanish government through its top Sports Authority, Consenjo Superio de Deportes(CSD), recently ordered the immediate suspension of erstwhile President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation,Angel Maria Villar.
Villar was relieved of his duties as President of the RFEF in July following a CSD’s backed order because of his indictment by a Spanish court on charges of improper management, misappropriation of funds, corruption and falsifying documents. He has, however, being released on bail as he awaits a proper trial.
At a news conference on Monday, the 67 year administrator bemoaned the hastiness of CSD’s decision to relieve him of his responsibilities even before he has been tried. A visibly concerned Villar described the situation of Spanish football as “very grave” and was of the opinion that the situation could have been avoided had the CSD treated him like other sports administrators who were given the benefit of doubt and allowed to continue in their positions while trial pended. He labelled the Spanish Sports authority’s actions as ‘arbitrary’ and a clear ‘injustice’.
The erstwhile football chief, sent a clear warning that the government’s apparent interference in Spanish football could bear dire consequences for the country, with FIFA ready to kick the La Roja, Spain’s National team, out of next year’s soccer mundial in Russia(even though they have qualified) should the situation persist.
According to Villar, “The only ones responsible for the possibility that the national team could miss out on the World Cup is the current government.
“No one wants this, least of all me, but there are other national teams like Italy that missed out on the World Cup that will jump at the chance to take a World Cup spot [should Spain be banned].”
His views are backed by Spanish news agency ,EFE, which had exclusively revealed recently that FIFA has sent a letter to the RFEF raising concerns regarding the state of the country’s federation and reminding its member of its duty to “manage their affairs independently and ensure that their own affairs are not influenced by any third parties” as stated in article 14 and 19 of the FIFA statutes.
In the report, FIFA again reminded Spain’s top football authority that a failure to put its house in order and expunge elements of government interference in the running of its activities will lead to article seven of FIFA’s regulation being invoked which will see RFEF being suspended and the national team banned, opening the door for another country to take its place.
Acting RFEF president Juan Luis Larrea confirmed on Friday that talks will be held between the federation and FIFA after Christmas, but however disagreed on the motive.
“The meeting will be informative and, in no case, punitive,” Larrea told AS. “No one is going to take Spain out of the World Cup. It’s impossible and never been talked about. It’s the final straw when people say things like that. It won’t happen.
“What do these people want: that Spain are withdrawn from the tournament so Italy can get in? The federation is functioning normally, the national team earned their place on the pitch, and FIFA agree with us on that.”
FIFA has not taken an official position on whether the Spanish National side may become a collateral damage in the present debacle engulfing Spanish football but it is known that the soccer body takes exception to any form of government interference in football affairs. Infact Peru, who reached their first World Cup in 36 years by beating New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate in a playoff last month, were reportedly in danger of having their spot in the mundial taken away due to a controversial bill presented by one of the country’s parliamentarians, Paloma Noceda, that would have seen the Peru Football Federation (FPF) lose its autonomy, with the country’s Institute of Sport controlling the federation. The bill was,albeit, ultimately withdrawn.