EUR IN TROUBLE
England rivals ‘face being THROWN OUT of Euro 2024 as Uefa and Fifa set deadline’
England are also risking their own Euro ban amid a row over FA Cup replays
SPAIN could be THROWN OUT of Euro 2024 for government interference in the Spanish FA, according to reports.
Spanish clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona could also be axed from next season's Champions League, while the country's hosting of the 2030 World Cup may also be in jeopardy.
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Jose Manuel Rodríguez-Uribes, president of Spain's Supreme Sports Council, sent a letter to Uefa and Fifa explaining why government involvement was required as the Spanish FA battles allegations of corruption.
The latest scandal comes just months after former Uefa vice-president Luis Rubiales resigned as Spanish FA chief after he kissed Jenni Hermoso following the country's Women’s World Cup final victory over England.
But understand Uefa and Fifa have not responded well to Rodriguez-Uribes' letter, believing a "line has been crossed" as a result of government interference.
A joint letter sent by the two governing bodies to Rodriguez-Uribes last week, signed by general secretaries Mattias Grafstrom and Theodore Theodoridis, questioned why the interference had taken place.
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The letter also insisted neither organisation would accept any form of government meddling.
The Supreme Sports Council now have until Friday to give answers to the following questions:
- On what legal and/or factual basis was the Commission appointed?
- Who makes up the Commission and who appointed its members?
- What is the Commission's exact mandate?
- What power does the Commission have?
- What relationship does the Commission have with the statutory decision-making bodies in the RFEF?
By Friday, it is understood the council's response will lead to one of two outcomes.
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If deemed a satisfactory response, Uefa and Fifa will likely refrain from taking action against the Spanish FA.
But if it is decided that the Spanish FA has in effect been taken over by the government then they would likely be immediately suspended by both Uefa and Fifa.
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This would mean being kicked out of this summer's Euros in Germany, while Spanish clubs would be unable to compete in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Club World Cup next season.
They would also be ruled out of hosting the 2030 World Cup - which they are due to stage alongside Portugal and Morocco - with three games also in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Their hosting of the tournament has not yet been ratified and Fifa bosses are confident Portugal and Morocco are capable of putting the tournament on without Spain.
Fifa and Uefa have precedent for responding to political controversies having banned Russian clubs from European competition after the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia also missed out on the opportunity to host Euro 2028.
In recent years, the football associations of Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Pakistan have also been temporarily suspended due to outside interference.
Meanwhile, England are risking their own Euro ban after it was revealed last week MPs are demanding the decision to get rid of FA Cup replays be reversed.
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