Pre-tourney favorite Spain Threatens to Boycott World Soccer Cup if Israel Participates

Spain threatens to BOYCOTT the World Cup of Soccer if Israel qualifies - days after pro-Pally protests halt final stage of La Vuelta bicycle classic in Madrid

Spanish government officials have said they would remove their national team from next year's Soccer World Cup if Israel qualifies.

Patxi Lopez, the spokesperson for the prominent Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (Communist), said they would 'assess' the situation if it came to pass. 

Israel has not qualified for a World Cup since 1970 but have a chance for next year's expanded tournament. They are third in their UEFA qualifying group, level on points with Italy who occupy the play-off spot.

Patxi Lopez, a socialist government official

Spain would boycott the next World Cup if Israel qualifies

'What we want is that Israeli teams cannot take part in sporting events or Eurovision.

Lopez's comments come a fortnight after the 11th stage of Spanish cycling race Vuelta a Espana was cut short and finished without a winner due to pro-Pally protestors at the course.

The stage, which was supposed to start and finish in the heart of the 'botxo' - a neighbourhood at the centre of Bilbao, was brought to an abrupt end three kilometers from where it was supposed to due to safety concerns.

Israel-Premier Tech, a cycling team, were the main focus of the protests, with one group stopping riders in Figueres, with flags and graffiti on display.

The start of the race was interrupted when protestors heckled a group near San Mames stadium.

The race then continued, but the end, near Gran Viam was blocked by thousands of protestors carrying flags. According to Marca, three people were arrested, with four police officers injured. The Basque Government's Security Minister, Bingen Zupiria, condemned the 'uncivil behaviour that threatens security and coexistence'.

The 11th stage of Spanish cycling race Vuelta a Espana finished without a winner due to pro-Pally protestors being on the course

Madrid-born rider Carlos Verona said of the events: 'The UCI must make decisions for the benefit of everyone. I understand peaceful protests, but I don't understand them interrupting our work.'

Overall leader Jonas Vingegaard said it was disappointing not to be able to finish the stage - particularly because it was his son's birthday.

'It's a big shame.'

British rider Tom Pidcock, meanwhile, was the front runner and expressed his frustrations in the aftermath of the events.

'It's hard to describe the disappointment, honestly,' the 26-year-old said.

The call was made during the race due to safety concerns surrounding the number of protestors at the finish

A number of riders expressed their frustration with the outcome of the race in its aftermath

Ugly Protestors were a regular feature throughout the race

Four police officers were injured, with three arrests made in total

Riders had met race organisers in the city to discuss safety concerns before the race on the back of pro-Palestine protests and a crash caused by demonstrators running onto the track on Tuesday.

'It was a conversation between us and the organisation,' rider Elia Viviani told Cyclingnews and The Cycling Podcast. 'We, the riders, know that in the last few weeks the organisers have been doing as much as they can – so many police, so many.'

'Obviously, there's a situation that is dangerous for the peloton.'

'If there are falls, danger and so on, they don't know what'll happen.'

Three-time world champion Oscar Freire said of the events in Bilbao: 'There have always been some protests, but today they were aggressive. It's a shame, because it was the stage with the most fans and it could have been the best of this Vuelta.'

He added: 'Given what happened today, you can't race like that.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15107951/Spain-BOYCOTT-World-Cup-Israel.html

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