The Spanish Football Federation voted yesterday by overwhelming majority to cancel a friendly between the United States and Catalonia previously scheduled for October 14th.
Citing a scheduling conflict with the Spanish national team's Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark on the 13th and a friendly the following Wednesday against Finland, the decision to call off the game was made despite an commitment by the Catalan Federation not to call up any Spanish national team players.
"There is an agreement that has been adopted to preserve the normalcy and preeminence of Spanish national team games." Jorge Carretero, spokesman for the Spanish Federation told YA.
"There is [also] an agreement between the territorial federations and clubs that non-league games should be held on dates that do not prejudice the normal development of the championship, which always coincides with Christmas. Ratifying that agreement is the only motive for cancelling the friendly match scheduled for October 14."
"The decision is final," Carretero continued. "Of course, everything is negotiable, but in general these types of decisions are not appealed."
When questioned as to the timing of the vote, six weeks from the scheduled kickoff, Carretero explained it first had to be discussed the the federation directors who had not met since July due to the Spanish vacation schedule.
"A decision is made when the point is entered on the docket," explained Carretero. "It is discussed by the Directors and a vote is produced."
The Catalan Federation will hold a press conference in the coming days to express their views on the decision.
note: Yanks Abroad's Elena Guerrero contributed to this story |
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