The 'Finalissima' clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina set to take place on March 27 in Qatar has been cancelled, UEFA said on Sunday.
The match had been in doubt following attacks on Qatar amid the regional conflict that erupted after the late-February offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes against countries in the region.
Disagreements between the football authorities over the date and relocation of the match – originally scheduled to be played at Lusail Stadium near the Qatari capital – ultimately led to the cancellation.
The European football governing body said in a statement that it was "not possible to reach agreement with Argentina" over an alternative date and location, required because of the Middle East war.
"It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar," said UEFA in a statement.
The Finalissima pits the latest Copa América winners against the European championship winners, with Argentina winning the inaugural edition by beating Italy in 2022 at Wembley in London.
Captain Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup with his country in Qatar later that year.
The match against Spain would have been the first time the Argentine – who is widely considered to be the best player of all time – had faced teenage star Lamine Yamal, whom many consider his successor at Barcelona.
UEFA said they had investigated several alternative options to playing in Qatar "but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association."
The first option was to play at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid with a “50:50 allocation” of supporters, which Argentina rejected.
South American football's governing body and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) rejected the possibility, arguing that it “would violate the principle of sporting fairness as it would not be a neutral venue.”
“CONMEBOL and the AFA deeply regret that, despite the efforts made and the willingness expressed from the outset to play this match on neutral ground, it has not been possible,” the South American bodies said.
AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia instead proposed moving the match to Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium, home of River Plate.
UEFA then suggested a two-legged event, with the first match in the Spanish capital on March 27 and a second leg in Buenos Aires at some point before the 2028 Euros and Copa America, which was also turned down.
They then proposed playing a one-off match at another neutral venue in Europe on March 27 or March 30 but Argentina said they could no longer play on the original date and were only available on March 31.
"As a result, and to UEFA's regret, this edition of the Finalissima has been cancelled," added UEFA.
– TIMES/AFP
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