Spanish Federation gives red card to Catalan-USA friendly

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

MADRID (AFP) — The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday vetoed a mooted friendly international between the eastern region of Catalonia and the United States, which had been slated for October 14.

The Catalan regional federation (FCF) had reached agreement for the game with US counterparts but the RFEF board rejected the idea by 18 votes to three, FCF sources said.

One of the reasons put forward was that Spain are themselves playing Denmark a day earlier in a Euro 2008 qualifier and then on the 17th a friendly against Finland.

RFEF spokesman Jorge Carretero told the Europa Press news agency that the date was not opportune.

Occasionally, such as during the Christmas and New Year break, regional sides have played in friendlies and last October...