MADRID: Angel Maria Villar, banned president of the Spanish football federation, appears to have accepted that a comeback is out of the question writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Spanish media reports have claimed that Villar, re-elected earlier this year to extend his 29-year command of the RFEF, has reluctantly accepted a steady erosion of support among even his most loyal supporters.

The former vice-president of world and European federations FIFA and UEFA was banned from domestic office by the national sports council after being arrested on corruption allegations (which he denies).

Villar has insisted he will fight through the courts to clear his name and had refused to resign the RFEF presidency in the meantime – just as Michel Platini refused to quit as UEFA boss while under investigation by FIFA.

However Villar has hd to change his mind after a weekend meeting with regional federation leaders brokered by Spanish Olympic president Alejandro Blanco.

Sources close to RFEF said Villar had been disappointed to find a lack of support but insisted that he would choose the timing of his formal resignation.

#############