Mayne-Nicholls: “We will not negotiate with Colo Colo regarding players on the national team”

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SANTIAGO.-  The president of the National Professional Football Association, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, rejected the request made by Colo Colo president Gabriel Ruiz-Tagle who had asked the coach of Chile´s national team, Marcelo Bielsa, not to summon players from Colo Colo to participate in a friendly match against Israel on March 26th. The request made by Ruiz-Tagle stems from the fact that, the day after the national team´s match in Israel, Colo Colo is scheduled to face Boca Juniors at the Monumental Stadium as part of the Copa Libertadores tournament.

“I am surprised that Colo Colo is asking the coach not to include the players, since the whole issue concerning the national team was voted on by 32 clubs who supported the fact that it would continue its activities without interrupting the eliminatory matches”.

“We are not going to negotiate regarding any issue related to the national team players with Colo Colo or any other club”, added Mayne-Nicholls.

The leader of the NPFA mentioned that Ruiz-Tagle had also sent him a message with the same request.