Switch to Spanish season approved
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Article summary
Spain's football authorities have been allowed to extend the league until 20 May to deal with fixture congestion, with Sevilla FC meeting FC Barcelona on Saturday.
Article body
FIFA has allowed the Spanish football authorities to extend their league season until 20 May to deal with a fixture pile-up.
Postponed match
The world governing body had wanted all league games to be completed by this weekend to allow players involved in the FIFA World Cup to be released by 15 May. The congestion was caused by the postponement in April of the match between Sevilla FC, playing in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday, and FC Barcelona.
New schedule
Go-ahead has been given to a new schedule which means the Sevilla v Barcelona tie will take place on Saturday, as will those games that do not affect UEFA Champions League places. The fixtures between Sevilla and Real Madrid CF, and CA Osasuna and Valencia CF will then be staged next Tuesday, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Arsenal FC.
Date moved
Non-Barcelona players involved in the World Cup will be released on 17 May, two days later than originally planned. Barcelona's remaining match with Athletic Club Bilbao will be held on the weekend of 20/21 May without international players because there is no longer anything at stake in that game.
