War in the Middle East has meant that the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain has been cancelled. The European champions were set to play th echampions of the Copa America in Qatar on 26th March. UEFA said proposals to hold the Finalissima, either at the Bernabeu in Madrid (home of Real Madrid) or to play a two-legged game in the Spanish capital and Buenos Aires, were both rejected by Argentina.
“Due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar,” UEFA said. “Uefa explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
A jount statement from CONMEBOL (South American football’s governing body) and Argentina’s FA (AFA) said that an alternative date of 31st March was offered but not accepted.
“”The AFA received a proposal to hold the match at a neutral venue, Italy, on 27 March,” the statement read. “Argentina accepted the idea without objection, except for the date, suggesting 31 March. Unfortunately, Uefa announced that holding the match on the 31st, just four days later than the original proposal – was not possible, and the Finalissima was cancelled.”
According to UEFA, Spain had no available dates to play the game after the 2026 World Cup.
The Spanish FA meanwhile said that it had “worked intensively” to hold the game in any format possible, either in a Spanish stadium or a neutral venue. “Spain was prepared to play as it has always been stated,” it said. “They set no conditions. Spain, together with Uefa, has offered all possibilities.”
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due in April were both cancelled, with Formula 1 saying that it is not safe to stage the races.
The Finalissima is held every four years and pits the winners of the European Championship against the Copa America winners. It was last held in Wembley in 2022 with Argentina defeating Italy.
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