Mexico says it won't bow to players' threats
September, 29, 2010
9/29/10
7:09
PM PT
By Scott French | ESPNLosAngeles.com
Mexico's soccer federation says threats by 13 players, led by New York Red Bulls midfielder Rafa Marquez, to boycott national team matches unless director of national teams Nestor De La Torre steps down or is fired will not succeed.
The players, Federacion Mexicana de Futbol general secretary Decio De Maria said in a news conference Wednesday, sent the federation a letter blasting De La Torre for making public details of a party following Mexico's victory Sept. 7 over Colombia in Monterrey. Forward Carlos Vela and midfielder Efrain Juarez last week were suspended from the national team for six months for their roles in the party, and 11 more players -- including Marquez -- were fined.
The 14-point letter, demanding De La Torre's ouster, reasoned that the players were free to enjoy themselves as they pleased following the friendly match.
The Mexican national team has no meaningful matches in the next six months.
“Around here nobody sits down to talk demanding conditions,” De Maria said. “Nobody sits at the table with conditions about how to fix a problem. Nestor is the director and his head is not on the table as a condition for talks.”
De Maria said he had spoken with Marquez and Cruz Azul midfielder Gerardo Torrado, the national team's veteran leaders, in the past week.
Mexico faces Venezuela in an Oct. 12 friendly in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
The players, Federacion Mexicana de Futbol general secretary Decio De Maria said in a news conference Wednesday, sent the federation a letter blasting De La Torre for making public details of a party following Mexico's victory Sept. 7 over Colombia in Monterrey. Forward Carlos Vela and midfielder Efrain Juarez last week were suspended from the national team for six months for their roles in the party, and 11 more players -- including Marquez -- were fined.
The 14-point letter, demanding De La Torre's ouster, reasoned that the players were free to enjoy themselves as they pleased following the friendly match.
The Mexican national team has no meaningful matches in the next six months.
“Around here nobody sits down to talk demanding conditions,” De Maria said. “Nobody sits at the table with conditions about how to fix a problem. Nestor is the director and his head is not on the table as a condition for talks.”
De Maria said he had spoken with Marquez and Cruz Azul midfielder Gerardo Torrado, the national team's veteran leaders, in the past week.
Mexico faces Venezuela in an Oct. 12 friendly in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott French
Orange County native Scott French has been writing about soccer for more than 30 years for dozens of publications and Web sites. He was senior editor at Soccer America and was managing editor of MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine from April 2007 until summer 2009. He has covered three World Cups for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Los Angeles Daily News, two Women's World Cups for Soccer America, the Olympic Games, European Championship, nine MLS Cups and all five professional women's championships.
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