Fifa Threatens to Boot Spain out of World Cup

Cat:

Related stories

OPEC+ Surprises With Oversized Output Hike

OPEC+ will ramp up oil production more aggressively than anticipated...

2027: Okpebholo, Oborevwori, Eno, Edet, Others Rally Support for Tinubu

By Abiola Olawale The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the...

Amid Several National Grid Collapse, Power Minister Adelabu Unveils Ambition to Succeed Makinde in Oyo

Kicks Off State-wide Consultations By Abiola Olawale Minister of Power,...

Osun Guber: Davido’s Uncle, Adeleke Quashes Defection Rumours

Says he stands firm with PDP By Abiola Olawale Osun...

Zamfara 2027: Intrigues As ADC Extends Invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal

Governor Weighs options In what has been described as...

Spain’s participation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia could be under threat after Fifa raised concerns about political interference within the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

Soccer’s governing body has warned the RFEF that the Spanish government’s involvement in the election for the football federation’s new president could lead to them being expelled from next year’s World Cup.

The RFEF is led by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis after former president Angel Maria Villar was forced to step down on corruption charges.

“We can confirm that Fifa recently sent a letter to the RFEF showing its concern with the situation the federation is in and reminding it that… all member associations should manage their affairs independently,” Fifa said in a statement on Friday.

“All associations must be assured that there is no outside interference from third parties in its internal affairs. Fifa is in contact with the RFEF and in the next few weeks a delegation of Fifa and Uefa members will travel to Madrid to analyse the situation the RFEF is in.”

Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that Fifa’s concerns centre around the government’s sports department pushing to hold new federation elections.

A statement from the RFEF said its president Larrea had discussed the situation with Fifa members at the World Cup draw on December 1.

“The RFEF passed on these (Fifa’s) concerns to the minister for sport and is expecting to organise a meeting on the matter. The RFEF wants everything to return to normal, that has always been the main objective of the current board of directors.

“We underline that we all want the national team to participate in the 2018 World Cup, especially after its brilliant qualifying campaign.”

Spain captain and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, speaking ahead of the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi, added: “I cannot believe that Spain could lose what we have worked so hard for on the pitch due to an institutional dispute, I struggle to believe that.”

Spain’s prime minister Mariano Rajoy said he was not concerned by the suggestion his country would be barred from competing in the World Cup.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time in 2010 and are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Russia next year.

“I cannot contemplate that scenario, I’m absolutely convinced Spain will go to the World Cup and that we are going to win it,” Rajoy told reporters in Brussels after a meeting of European Union member states.

“The government’s behaviour is exemplary and those in charge of the department for sport (CSD) have the total support of the prime minister.”

In 2015 Indonesia were banned from competing in qualifiers for next year’s World Cup after Fifa said the central government had taken over its federation’s affairs.

Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
OPEC+ Surprises With Oversized Output Hike2027: Okpebholo, Oborevwori, Eno, Edet, Others Rally Support for TinubuAmid Several National Grid Collapse, Power Minister Adelabu Unveils Ambition to Succeed Makinde in OyoOsun Guber: Davido's Uncle, Adeleke Quashes Defection RumoursZamfara 2027: Intrigues As ADC Extends Invitation to Governor Dauda Lawal$4.2m Covid-19 Scam: Nigerian Pastor Goes to Jail, Osun Monarch, Oloyede Forfeits Assets in US As Crackdown BeginsNatasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Senate Stipulates Terms for Reinstatement After Court's RulingTinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour PartyFG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS BankEx- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UKEdwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big AmericanJune 12 And The International Pursuit of Justice For Abiola, By Femi FalanaBreaking Down the West’s $146 Billion 2024 Defence Technology InvestmentG7 vs. the World: GDP, Population, and Military Strength
X whatsapp