El Salvador Football Federation Responds to Match Relocation Challenges
In a prompt reaction to the recent news regarding the inability to hold the anticipated friendly match in Washington, Yamil Bukele, the President of the El Salvador Football Federation, provided an official clarification addressing his country's stance on the proposal to move the match to Morocco. He expressed gratitude to the Moroccan Football Federation for suggesting an alternative venue for the encounter.
Bukele shared through his account on the social media platform X that the Salvadoran federation received an official letter from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation indicating that the Moroccan national team would not be able to field its full roster starting May 29, as originally planned for the match in the United States. The Moroccan side proposed to hold the match on June 2 in Morocco, offering to cover all expenses related to the Salvadoran team’s travel and accommodation. This gesture was acknowledged by Bukele as a positive initiative that reflects courteous and formal engagement, reaffirming that the Salvadoran federation was open to playing this match.
However, Bukele emphasized that executing this proposal was unfeasible due to FIFA regulations, which prohibit matches from being played across two different continents during the same international break. Additionally, the Salvadoran national team has prior commitments, having scheduled two friendly matches during the same timeframe. This development confirms the definitive cancellation of the friendly match that was set to occur between the Moroccan and Salvadoran national teams in Washington, as a mutually agreeable alternative could not be reached.
A formal communication issued by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation on Wednesday revealed that several recent developments related to continental and international competition schedules, along with injuries affecting several players, would leave the national team unable to rely on at least one-third of its key players during the date of the match. The correspondence indicated that this situation does not allow for the match to proceed under suitable conditions, particularly in light of preparations for the 2026 World Cup, prompting the federation to inform its Salvadoran counterpart of the impossibility of conducting the match in the United States as initially intended.
In response, the Moroccan federation suggested hosting the match on June 2 in Morocco, with an assurance to cover the travel and accommodation costs of the Salvadoran team, awaiting an official response regarding this proposal. In closing, the letter expressed regret over this change while reiterating the desire for continued collaboration with the Salvadoran federation in the future.
As reported by al3omk.com.
