Costa Rica’s Copa America Spot Not Certain

There seems to be unanimous agreement that playing in the 2007 Copa America would be beneficial. But with Costa Rica already accepting an invitation to play, the situation is uncertain to say the least.

With a little help from Google (they don’t need a hyperlink) and Big Soccer, I managed to find this article from Costa Rican newspaper Diario Extra, confirming that nothing is definite and suggesting things will become clearer next month. If you hable español then click that link. Otherwise, read on for the BabelFish (meaning ropey) Spanish to English translation of the relevant parts:

NOTHING STILL ON ON COPA AMERICA
In August CONMEBOL will announce if it invites to Costa Rica

• Vice-president of Organizing Committee assured to DIARIO EXTRA that the decision is not in its hands.
• The U.S.A. also wants to attend the match, from 1995 does not do it.

The possible participation of Costa Rica in the Copa America 2007 not yet is in firm.

As much the Organizing Committee as the South American Confederation of Soccer (Conmebol) confirms the interest not even to have to Tricolor between the group of guests to the football match. Consulted via telephone to Caracas, Rafael Esquivel, vice-president of the Organizing Committee, it assured to EXTRA that it will be until the next month when there is white smoke on the situation.

“I have the best esteem and the affection by Costa Rica, is a selection that causes affection to us to all the Venezuelans, but this decision is not in my hands”, pointed Esquivel.

Jerarca, that also funge like president of the Venezuelan Federation of Fu’tbol (FVF), said that still he is premature to speak on if Tricolor it plays in his country in view of which most of leaders just they arrive from Germany, where observed the World-wide one.

“I am of oldest of the confederation, but I do not have the decision-making voice. Not even we know when we will meet for that, we hope just a little bit, surely in August doctor Nicholas Leoz will communicate to us”.

Leoz is the president of the Conmebol and next to the rest of the executive committee they will emit a criterion on which selections they will attend in condition of guests.

In two the Copa America 10 combined South Americans participate more “extra”, one of them Mexico. Days back, Navarrese Hermes, president of the Costa Rican Federation of Soccer, he announced the approach so that Costa Rica occupies the other seat so and as he happened in editions of Bolivia 1997, Colombia 2001 and Peru 2004. At his Navarrese moment he said that “he perceived” a good atmosphere to receive the invitation.

THE U.S.A. ALSO

In opposition to past contests, the United States showed their consent to participate, which in theory him complicaría the way to “the Sele” in its eagerness to play the Copa. It because thanks to the North American participation Costa Rica did not find field in this competition. In textual words of Rafael Esquivel there is much interest in the United States to participate in the contest, “first because one is the more important event of selections of the continent and second because by own right it corresponds to them, because they are the present champions of the Gold Cup”.

Simultaneously it propped up: “Del is one of the ten better selections world, was not to him well in Germany because it touched the group to him in which Italy participated, later champion del world, but all we know its capacity”, reviewed. The leader explained that the number of equipment that will not participate either has been defined and is a subject that is incumbent on, also, to the Conmebol. “Traditionally they are twelve, but the 16 equipment was an idea that treated because we wanted to count on Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Nevertheless, Spain declined the invitation, just like Italy, for that reason that aspect is something that there is to study, but the last word has the Conmebol”.

So, here’s what I understand from the article:

• Costa Rica’s participation is not yet confirmed.
• Costa Rica and CONMEBOL have a fairly cozy relationship
• USA are entitled to compete after their 2005 Gold Cup win
• The tournament hasn’t been discussed recently because the organisers have been at the World Cup
• A decision from CONMEBOL President Dr. Nicholas Leozis is expected in August
• To complicate things further, CONMEBOL are toying with the idea of expanding the tournament to 16 teams

(if any Spanish speakers notice errors in my interpretation, please don’t hesitate to offer corrections)