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Spain will play in Euro

MADRID - Uefa president Michel Platini yesterday voiced confidence that Spain would not be excluded from Euro 2008 because of an ongoing row with Fifa over perceived government interference in the running of the country's football federation.

MADRID - Uefa president Michel Platini yesterday voiced confidence that Spain would not be excluded from Euro 2008 because of an ongoing row with Fifa over perceived government interference in the running of the country's football federation.

Fifa, world football's governing body, has expressed concern over a Spanish government decision requiring all sports federations in the country to elect new presidents before the Beijing Olympics in August, which conflicts with the plans of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and its president, Angel Maria Villar.

Platini said Fifa's executive committee was due to meet today to consider whether the situation in Spain amounted to a serious case of political interference, which could lead to Spain being suspended from international competitions.

"It's Fifa's problem and they will have to take a decision," Platini acknowledged.

But the Frenchman, who is close to Fifa president Sepp Blatter, indicated that he did not expect Spain to be prevented from taking part in Euro 2008. - Sapa-AFP

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