Spain and Argentina absent from the worlds?

It could well be that Spain and Argentina will be the big absent from the next worlds of padel which will take place in Qatar in November, why?

If so, the news is likely to make noise. Why would Argentina and Spain not be present in 2020? Because of the 2018 worlds.

Let's take the story back from the beginning.

2018 Worlds

In 2018, the International Federation of Padel (FIP), organizes worlds of padel in Paraguay. Playing conditions criticized by the players because they made the practice of competition dangerous for high level matches. The final opposed the 2 best nations in the world, Spain and Argentina. Twist, the two teams decided not to play and the referee was forced to give a WO to the 2 nations. The men's competition remains without a champion in 2018, but with 2 vice-champions. Spain won the competition for women.

The FIP sanction

Since 2018, we have not heard from this case any more until this week when the FIP Disciplinary Committee gives its verdict; a public sanction and a fine of 3000 € to the Spanish Federation of Padel (FEP) and the Association of Padel Argentina (APA) for unjustified withdrawal from the competition.

The VET response

Following this sanction imposed by the FIP, the FEP responded by counterattacking. Spain recognizes the fact of not having played the final, but considers that it did not withdraw from the competition except that the pairs which were to play did not appear, from where the WO noted on the sheet match of referee Nayra Ramírez.

So you will say what is the difference? It is very important. In the case of withdrawal from the competition, the teams may suffer a public sanction and a fine ranging from 600 to 3000 €, but in the case of a WO, a national team cannot participate in the next edition of the competition, either the worlds of padel 2020.

Why this reaction?

Spain and Argentina are clearly the 2 strongest nations in the discipline. They attract attention and allow the colors of the padel. If they are absent from the worlds, the international impact will be much less important and the party will be without fireworks.

We do not think that these two nations really wish not to participate in worlds, on the contrary. But there have been political tensions between the VET and the FIP for years which have tainted the world of padel international, too bad. We have already seen this in 2019 with the absence of Spain from the European Championships organized by the FIP in Rome.

Why the maximum penalty?

The FEP and the APA receive the most important sanction for this non played final. In their defense, they explain that they have never been sanctioned before, that the weather conditions were complicated, that the final was not played in the place originally planned and at an inappropriate time. In vain. The FIP considers that if the ladies played the final, the men should also do it because the final of a world is an event attended by a large number of people, with a worldwide influence, and that the sanction must be the most important , knowing that the players did not even make the trip to the club that day.

What will the future say?

This is a good question that only the big authorities can answer. If the FIP remains on its position, the FEP and the APA will pay their fine and will be present in November in Qatar, unless these two nations do not show up. On the other hand, if the regulation is applied to the letter, as Alfredo Garbisu (president of the FEP) emphasizes, Spain and Argentina will be the 2 big absent, punished with world championships, and in this case no more need to give reasons. Let’s prepare now for these 2 nations to be absent.

Once again politics tarnishes sport, what a pity.

source: padelazo

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.