MADRID: Spain remains on collision course FIFA after the national federation’s electoral commission confirmed the suspension from the presidency of veteran director Angel Maria Villar writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

At its extreme, the row could result in the Spanish national team being threatened with exclusion from the World Cup finals in Russia.

Last month the sports administration court (TAD) upheld the decision of the national sports council (CSD) to dismiss the former FIFA and UEFA vice-president him from his 29-year role as head of the Spanish federation (RFEF).

The CSD had acted in July after Villar, a former Bilbao and Spain midfielder, was arrested and detained briefly on corruption charges which he has denied.

Now the electoral commission of the RFEF has confirmed the decision on behalf of the federation.

The decision increases pressure on interim president Juan Luis Larrea to call elections for a successor to Villar who has been charged with setting up systems to divert federation funds to the benefit of his family and/or himself.

FIFA has warned the RFEF that apparent political interference in its affairs by the goverment, via the CSD, contravened its statutes and risked disciplinary action which could led to suspension which would bar the national team from playing at the World Cup.

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