Puebla's Chelis Upset Over Sudamericana Pullout

Puebla manager Jose Luis "Chelis" Sanchez Sola was upset over CONCACAF's decision to no longer participate in Copa Sudamericana.

Jul 1, 2009 10:25:45 AM

More On :  Puebla
Jose Luis Sanchez Sola- Puebla (Mexsport)
Upon hearing CONCACAF’s decision to no longer allow their teams to play in the Copa Sudamericana Puebla manager Jose Luis Sanchez Sola lashed out against the confederation's representatives responsible for terminating participation in the South American tournament.

“I am far from being bothered. Someone benefited from this and harm has been done to Puebla, the people of Puebla," a bothered Sola told reporters. "The people of Puebla had great illusion because it has been a long time since the team qualified to an international tournament and for me playing 17 or 25 games makes no difference."
Don't Miss

Instead of competing in Copa Sudamericana, Puebla will now have only the domestic league to focus on. A season ago, Puebla reached the Liguilla semifinals and matching or bettering that feat will be the only thing Puebla supporters will have to look forward to.

“The people of Puebla were very enthusiastic and the people that make these decisions do not think of that they only think about their desk benefit," continued the Puebla head coach. "The reality is that Mexican football is immersed in those type of mercantile decisions, they don’t give a care about the sporting aspect.

“The decision made by CONCACAF was completely visceral. What do they have against Puebla’s fans? Perhaps I can make many mistakes tactically, if I play with a defensive line of three or four, that I took out this player or subbed in another, being criticized for that is very valid but this that we will not be able to go to the South American Cup is an injustice,” said Chelis.


Sanchez Sola went on to explain that he received a phone call from the Mexican football federation informing him that Puebla would not be participating in the South American tournament.

“They simply told me that we were not going and the reality is that there will be no compensation and worse there is no one to defend our rights, I can complain, curse them, but that will not transcend the only thing that will happen is that I will be punished for speaking that way and that’s about it.”

“We had already been invited to the tourney, the draw is on the 3rd of July, and now because of a decision that only benefits those that direct CONCACAF well they throw away everything we worked for,” lamented Chelis.

Joel Aceves, Goal.com

Visit Goal.com for more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division.

Want more from Goal.com delivered right to your door? Introducing "Goal.com Magazine." Subscribe now!

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
9 Comments
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.