Coaches reject 2018 World Cup boycott idea

We’re trying to unite people, not separate them, says Spain’s Del Bosque.

SAINT PETERSBURG: Coaches from some of the world’s top teams have played down chances of a sporting boycott of Vladimir Putin’s showpiece 2018 football World Cup as a penalty for stoking the crisis in Ukraine.

Leaders of the 28-nation European Union earlier this month asked the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, to draw up new sanctions in response to claims that Russia has sent troops into neighbouring Ukraine.

But Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, speaking at a post-2014 World Cup technical conference at Saint Petersburg poured cold water on the chances of sanctions.

“The idea of a boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia will never garner support from the family of football coaches,” said Del Bosque.

“We’re trying to unite people, not to separate them. We’re athletes. We’re not going in for politics. We support all those who play football.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2014.

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