The Finalissima between Argentina and Spain has been cancelled because of the war in the Middle East.
European champions Spain were set to play Copa America champions Argentina in Qatar on 26 March.
Uefa said proposals to hold the match at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu, or play a two-legged game in Madrid and Buenos Aires, were rejected by Argentina.
Uefa said: “Due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar.
“Uefa explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
A joint statement from Conmebol – the governing body of football in South America – and the Argentine FA said they offered an alternative date of 31 March but it was not accepted.
“The AFA received a proposal to hold the match at a neutral venue, Italy, on 27 March,” the statement read.
“Argentina accepted the idea without objection, except for the date, suggesting 31 March.
“Unfortunately, Uefa announced that holding the match on the 31st – just four days later than the original proposal – was not possible, and the Finalissima was cancelled.”
Uefa said: “Argentina made a counter suggestion to play the game after the World Cup but, as Spain has no available dates, that option had to be ruled out.”
The Spanish FA said, external it had “worked intensively” to get the game on in any format possible, whether in Spain or at a neutral venue.
It said: “Spain was prepared to play as it has always been stated. They set no conditions.
“Spain, together with Uefa, has offered all possibilities.”
On Saturday the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grands Prix due to be held in April were cancelled.
Formula 1 said it was not safe to stage the races because of the conflict across the region.
The Finalissima, which is staged every four years and is organised by Uefa and Conmebol, was last won by Argentina at Wembley in 2022.
…Manchester United Good For Top 4
Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko struck in the final 20 minutes to give Manchester United a precious win over Aston Villa in the battle for Champions League qualification.
A game low on quality before the interval erupted after it, with United skipper Bruno Fernandes playing a pivotal role.
After Villa keeper Emi Martinez had turned away a goal-bound Bryan Mbeumo effort, Fernandes whipped in a textbook near-post corner, which Casemiro flicked over Martinez and into the net off the far upright.
On his first Premier League start in 14 months, Ross Barkley levelled for the visitors with a snap shot 11 minutes later.
However, United were not to be denied.
Fernandes supplied a superb through ball to send Cunha racing clear of the Villa defence and the Brazil forward found the far corner with a precise low strike.
Substitute Sesko then took his personal tally to eight goals in 10 games as his deflected effort on the turn looped past Martinez to inflict Villa’s third straight league defeat.
The result keeps Michael Carrick’s side in third and provides the United interim boss with a sixth successive home win – a record only bettered by Sven Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini at the start of their respective Premier League reigns.
Villa have now won just three of their past 12 league matches and their 12-point return from that run leaves them sweating on qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season.
BBC
