Chivas' Lebrija Proposes Way Around National Team Camp

Mexico national team players might spend up to 60 days preparing for the World Cup, but such a proposition shouldn't ruin the concurrent league season, Chivas' Rafael Lebrija said.

Oct 17, 2009 10:17:45 AM

More On :  Guadalajara
Aaron Galindo, Sergio Ponce y Omar Esparza- Chivas vs Caracas (Mexsport)
With Mexico qualified to play in the World Cup in South Africa next year, the next topic that emerged concerned the players getting together prior to the tournament. A proposal for the players to go into camp 60 days prior to the tournament was made with several concerns arising about players leaving their club teams early. With the argument agreed upon, Chivas wants to take it a step further and make the Mexican national team a competitor in the Mexican league. 
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The Sporting Director of Chivas, Rafael Lebrija, proposes that the national team be an addition to the regular 18 team format to have continuity as a unit. 

“A proposition is that the national team integrates into the league and that instead of 18 teams there’ll be 19. With that we’ll really have permanent activity. It’ll be one more team that always plays as ‘away’,” said Lebrija to the media after a Chivas practice. 

The players who will make part of the national team are to leave their club teams around the Jornada 13 to start training for the world cup. 

“Instead of taking away the players during the final of the regular tournament and the Liguilla, the national team will be one thing. That way they’ll have incredible teamwork. I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” added the President. 

However, the proposal has yet to be made to all the club owners. “I haven’t told anyone.” 


Players abroad would not be part of the new team, so other local players would complete the roster and then leave the spots open for the players abroad.

“We have to give complete support to the national team, but without stripping the teams too much. It’s as important having the players in activity, and knowing who you’re going to call because the ‘Europeans’ will not come 60 days before. So 23 players could go into the camp of which ten would then return to their teams when the ‘Europeans’ integrated.” 

Vergara has been supportive of the proposal made by his Sporting President and is leaving him to promote the idea although few other details, such as dealing with relegation for some teams, have yet to be figured out. 

“Rafael Lebrija is in charge of getting the plan out there. It’s already approved for the team to come together 60 days before, and we’re just trying to improve it. There’s already been a team owner that has made the proposal like we have.” 

“This proposition was made to the Federation and to Javier Aguirre. It’s a  proposition from Chivas, and obviously I think it’s excellent, because I think it’s important to have an active team and the players in the best rhythm. In 45 days, despite playing friendlies, they aren’t going to have the same rhythm and that’s why the objective is for it to be the 19th team. 

As for promotions, the club owner doesn’t think there will be any objections based on the interest that the national team garners. 

“If we have to make sacrifices we have to make serious commitments. We were 20(teams) before, so I don’t think that there will be a problem. I think that the television stations would be delighted. I bet that the proposal of seeing the national team play against any team would be a full stadium, and it’d be excellent for everyone.” 

“If what we want is to get to the finals of the World Cup, we can make whatever sacrifice to make it happen.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

For more coverage of Mexican football, visit Goal.com's Mexico section.

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