(ATR) Nobody or almost nobody imagined, before opening the calendar of the World Water Polo League for women, that the game between Spain and Israel in Barcelona would reach headlines almost all over the world ... before being held.
Even the International Swimming Federation (FINA) had to mediate with a statement before the possibility of cancellation of the game due to political problems.
The policy was launched to the pool and splashed players, authorities and even the diplomacy of both countries.
Finally on Tuesday afternoon the match between both teams could be made with victory of the Spanish 11 goals to 5 not before going through installation changes and even the threat of suspension by political pressure from local organizations that advocate the boycott of Israel.
"FINA will not allow any discrimination against National Federations or individuals (competitors, officials, judges, delegates, etc.) for reasons of race, gender, religion or political affiliation," said the international entity
"FINA strongly condemns the actions of any political organization which aims to disturb the normal organization of a sports competition between two national Water Polo teams, "he said in a statement.
Ultimately the game was played on the scheduled date but three hours before scheduled and FINA considered it a "success".
The Royal Spanish Swimming Federation and the Barcelona City Council were the main organizers of the meeting.
One day before the game, the administration of the municipal pool, the game's original headquarters, did not authorize its celebration due to the protestspro Palestinian After the first refusal, it was tried to dispose of the pool of Sant Jordi, in Barcelona, but the political situation did not change.
The Superior Council of Sports (CSD) and the Generalitat (Government of Catalonia) had to intervene in the matter after the Minister of Culture and Sports of Israel, Miri Regev, demanded on the morning of Tuesday the Government of Spain to prevent the announced a boycott of the women's water polo team in their country, according to the Spanish press.
"There began to be calls for demonstrations and that affected security," said on Tuesday the president of the Catalan Swimming Federation, Enric Bertrán, about the circumstances surrounding the inability to play in the two previous pools.
The controversial meeting was finally held in the pool of the High Performance Center (CAR) of Sant Cugat before a score of Israeli fans with their country's flags and a dozen young sportsmen living in the CAR as spectators, despite the fact that the authorities Israelis seemed to prefer the cancellation of the meeting than to accept a change of installation.
Reported by Miguel Hernandez.
Spanish ATR brought to you by Jon Tibbs Associates
Reported by Miguel Hernandez . For general comments or questions, click here .
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