Spain World Cup ban: Spanish government blamed for risk of nation being kicked out of Russia 2018
Angel Maria Villa has hit out at the Spanish government
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Angel Maria Villar, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and vice-president of Uefa, has blamed the Spanish government for putting at risk Spain's participation in next summer's World Cup in Russia.
Fifa warned the Spanish Federation last week that continued interference from the Spanish government in the upcoming election for the federation’s new president could result in them losing their place at next summer’s World Cup.
The RFEF is currently led by Juan Luis Larrea on an interim basis, after Angel Maria Villar was made to step down on corruption charges.
“Fifa is asking us to enforce the laws and they are just fulfilling their statutes and regulations. The Superior Sport Council (CSD) is making the Spanish Football Federation break these laws and they are the only ones responsible if the Spanish team is kicked out of the World Cup”, claimed Villar.
CSD is an autonomous organism but financially dependent on the Spanish government and its president, Jose Ramon Lete, is chosen by the ruling Government.
Villar also compared this situation with Spain's main rivals: “We should ask ourselves why these problems don’t happen in countries such as Germany, Italy or United Kingdom. The answer is that their public institutions respect the autonomy and independence of their federations”, said Villar.
The former vice-president of Uefa also had harsh words for La Liga president and long-time adversary Javier Tebas, as well as for the Spanish prime minister.
“Mr Tebas has tried to lynch and harass me, because he has filed six complaints to have a disciplinary file opened. He has been in the media insulting and slandering me. He has been exercising criminal actions against me. If there are indications that he has committed a crime against me or against the situation we are in, I will think if I will undertake criminal action or not."
And on Prime Minister Rajoy's criticisms, Villar added: “I have been really surprised that he knows about everything. If I come back to the presidency of RFEF, I will hire him as an assistant, because I am sure that he will earn more than being Prime Minister."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments