Spain's World Cup place remains at risk

Dec 19, 2017 - 12:17 AM Spain are at risk of being thrown out of next year's World Cup according to the suspended president of their soccer federation, Angel Maria Villar.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Villar said: "This government is putting Spain's participation in the World Cup at risk.

"The only party responsible for Spain not going to the World Cup will be the Spanish government."

Spanish media reported on Friday that FIFA is investigating claims that the country's government had interfered in the running of the Spanish soccer federation, by insisting new elections take place to replace the suspended Villar.

The 67-year-old is being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds, corruption and falsifying documents.

Soccer's world governing body does not allow state interference in the running of national soccer federations.

"It's easy to see that the source of concern was my unjustified removal from the presidency of the federation," Villar said.

Source: AAP