Support the recognition of the Catalan national hockey team!!

IT'S A NO!

2005-11-24T17:51:00.000Z

The Catalan federation of skating will have to wait for another chance to become a member of the FIRS.
The results of today's voting, 125 against Catalonia and 43 for Catalonia, mean that another door has been closed for the Catalan's aspirations.

From catalanhockey we would like to thank all the people who have been working towards the recognition of Catalonia.
You have done a great job! Thank you

WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!!

Catalan President speech to the FIRS assembly

2005-11-24T17:44:00.000Z

FEDERACIÓ CATALANA DE PATINATGE

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE “FEDERACIÓ CATALANA DE PATINATGE” (CATALAN SKATING FEDERATION) TO THE EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS OF THE FIRS

Rome, 24 November 2005

President, members of the central committee, presidents of FIRS member federations, delegates and friends,

Together with my 18 companions on the board, I am honoured to preside over a federation with 75 years of history, older than the Spanish federation itself, which was founded 24 years later. It is a federation with 20,000 sports licences in the 4 different roller sports. We hold our own competitions in each and every sport and category, the winners of which are the champions of Catalonia. We also take part in Spanish competitions, in the same way as we would like to take part in the international competitions organised by the various FIRS committees. It is our desire to find the highest levels of competition for Catalan sportsmen and women and to take part in the best international competitions, which are none other than those organised by the FIRS. Our aim is a sporting one and, in all sincerity, we believe we have enough sporting potential to contribute positively to the FIRS and its member federations. We want to compete internationally because we are sure that we are good enough and because we believe that direct participation by Catalan skaters will help improve the standard of the competitions organised by the various international committees. Throughout the history of the FIRS, there have been Catalan champions in the three different categories and most of them would have preferred to compete internationally for the Catalan federation. We believe you are all well aware of the standard of our sportsmen and women, of the quality of the Catalan board and the service it has provided to both world and Spanish skating.

Our federation meets all the requirements established in the FIRS statutes, as was understood by the Central Committee on 24 March 2004 in Miami, when it voted unanimously on the provisional admission of the Catalan federation. But above all, it was the TAS itself which stated that, according to the statutes, the Catalan federation could be admitted. All it depends on now is your vote in favour. Therefore, I ask for your support, so that my federation may actively participate in the FIRS. Some delegations still hold that the statutes do not permit the admission of my federation. But do you really think the TAS would have demanded a second ballot if admission was not permitted under the statutes? Would the highest court in sport make us vote on an illegal decision, contrary to our statutes? Since Fresno, a process has been started with the aim of modifying the statutes and thus preventing our federation from being admitted. But the TAS has already decided that the Catalan federation’s admission should be discussed and voted on in accordance with the regulations in force at Fresno. If the statutes are eventually modified, this will not prevent my federation joining the FIRS, following approval by the Congress.

If our federation has the sporting potential which alone makes it worthy of joining the other sports federations, if the admission of the Catalan federations does not contravene FIRS statutes and the Catalan federation is not the first member federation that does not represent a sovereign state, what reasons are there not to admit our federation?

Some of those who are involved in political manoeuvres against the admission of the Catalan federation accuse us of playing politics. Again, I allow you to draw your own conclusions!

Believe me, at all times our actions have been based on sporting criteria. We do not want politics to hold sway over sport. We want to discuss sport, we want to promote skating through cooperation with all member federations. Why should we prevent sportsmen and women from competing internationally, representing their federation? Is that playing politics? We want to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between federations, especially those that are less well off. Is that playing politics?

It is a fact that our federation has signed a protocol for cooperation with the FIRS. We have signed it and done so openly. Is that playing politics? Is cooperating with the FIRS federations playing politics? We support the FIRS. It should be public knowledge and you as delegates should know that our federation, the Catalan federation, has this year subsidised the FIRS. Have we asked for anything in return? All we have done is fulfil our commitments.

Some of those who oppose our admission suggest, as if it were a threat, that if our federation enters the FIRS, it will then be open to other federations that do not represent sovereign states. But which federations do they mean? Are there so many federations that have both sporting potential and represent a nationality, as is the case of the Catalan federation? These are just speculations, ghosts that bear no resemblance to reality. I am here to say, without fear of contradiction, that our federation is a unique case and that there is no other federation in the same situation as the Catalan federation. Therefore, we ask that your vote be carefully considered, free and, above all, that it takes into account the specific, unique circumstances of Catalan skating.

Over the last year, the Catalan federation has made various proposals to help strengthen world skating: the organisation of world games, which would bring together the four sports for the first time and thus demonstrate our strength to the International Olympic Committee; the constitution of a world foundation with the aim of raising funds and collaborating with the FIRS in the promotion of our sport and in having speed skating admitted as an Olympic sport. It is possible that these proposals are the most suitable ones. But so far no-one has indicated that they are wrong, let alone why. What we have received from some people is distrust, alleging that now is not the time for such proposals. But the fact remains that immediate action is required before we reach a point when the problems are insurmountable. If these proposals are not suitable, then it is the FIRS, it is you the delegates, who should accept or reject them. Under no circumstances do they deserve to be flatly rejected.

The Central Committee, in Miami, accepted our provisional membership unanimously. Now the Central Committee recommends that you vote in favour of the opposite position, a position that was not adopted unanimously. But among this diversity of opinions in the Central Committee and the Congress, all of which are respectable if held in good faith, pressures have appeared and with them the division of the FIRS.

Yet the fact is that without the FIRS, by bypassing the FIRS or in contravention of the regulations and statutes, skating cannot remain united nor can it be admitted to the Olympic programme. We believe we can actively cooperate with you all, because above all, we play sport and therefore we would, at the very least, like speed skating to become an Olympic sport.

We have tried to find ways of cooperating with the Spanish federation and this must continue, so that, whatever your decision, both Catalan and Spanish skating may continue to progress. The Spanish federation argues that in Spain it is illegal for the Catalan federation to request membership of the FIRS. Yet the Spanish federation does not mention that Catalonia’s own legislation both permits and promotes it. By way of example, it has been 21 months since the Catalan federation was provisionally admitted in Miami. In that time, neither the Spanish government, nor the Spanish sports authorities, nor the Spanish federation itself, and most definitely not the Spanish courts, have sanctioned, warned or issued a verdict or sentence against me as president or my federation. Why not? The only verdict issued during these 21 months was that of the TAS. Again, please draw your own conclusions!

Today, here in Rome, I, in the name of my federation and thousands of Catalan sportsmen and women, ask for your support, for the good of the sport. We want to be a positive element for cooperation and believe we can be. Why should we give that up? Why are we accused of playing politics? We trust your opinion on the matter. It is for you to decide: Why should we waste the opportunity to cooperate with all those federations that are struggling to promote skating, despite the lack of resources? What political reasons can there be that are more important than cooperation between the federations of the FIRS? Is it not true that many federations cannot even afford the trip that allows them to exercise their rights and to speak as members of the FIRS?

We have the support of a people, a nation, Catalonia, with its own culture and language; we have a government whose own parliament democratically chose to approve are sports laws. All of this supports our request to be admitted to the FIRS and to be able to take part in its competitions.

I know some of you are considering voting for the Central Committee’s recommendation and you may vote against admitting our federation. We understand this and respect your decision. But I also ask that, if at any time during my speech you have thought that we are even partly in the right, i.e.:

that Catalonia’s contribution to world skating has been and is an important one;

that the FIRS can strengthen its processes of participation and democracy;

that the FIRS needs to increase its financial resources;

that the FIRS should consider greater cooperation among all its member federations;

that our mission into the FIRS is not illegal. You all know that we are here today because of a resolution from the highest sports Court, the TAS, which is linked to International Olympic Committee (IOC);

that nowadays there exist 47 other sport countries like Catalonia (England, Scotland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Faeroe Islands, etc…) that are not recognised as a state by the United Nations but who are members from different international sports federations;

that all summer and winter Olympic sports federations such as FIFA, FIBA, IAAF, have admitted as full members different stateless sports countries;

that just a month ago the International Korfball Federation recognised by the IOC like our FIRS, accepted the Catalan federation as a full member. Moreover, the president of the International Korfball Federation is the president of the internationally recognised sports federations Association (ARISF);

if you share any of these opinions, now is time to place your confidence in us and not marginalize a sports country such as ours. After the TAS’s verdict, we believe, that the only fair decision is not blocking our admission because of political reasons since we truly love our roller sports.

I am available to answer any questions or doubts raised with the Catalan federation in this congress after my speech. And consequently, I ask you to vote NO to the recommendation of the Central Committee.

Thank you for your attention. Very soon, or even today we shall become full members of this federation.

Ramon Basiana
President
Federació Catalana de Patinatge

Interview with former FIRS president Oliveras de la Riva (II)

2005-11-23T10:10:00.000Z

With only a few hours left until the Assembly of the FIRS begins in Rome, this is the second part of the interview with Isidre Oliveras de la Riva, former president of the FIRS.

Were there any members of the FIRS who confessed that they wold have voted for Catlonia had the voting been secret?
Yes, many. And people who explained their personal situation. As I was saying, you are a normal person and then suddenly the Spanish Ambassador appears in your office together with your Minister of Sports

Have the Catalans got as many supports as they had in Fresno?
Yes more or less. But we have worked much more on it. After Fresno's experience we have done many things differently. After the recognition in Miami and the World Cup B title in Macau everyone was too confident and euphoric. We lack of discretion. Now we have done things quietly

Is the argument that the admission of Catalonia would be a great improvement for the world's roller hockey still valid?
Yes indeed. My dad was the FIRS president from 1964 and by then roller hockey was the first most imporant skate sport, then there was nothing and then the artistic skating. When I became president in 1990, roller hockey was still the first sport but artistic skating was getting very close. Then in 1990 and 1991 in-line hockey appeared and this is killing us. And if you have a new member like Catalonia, the most important country in the world in terms of roller hockey, how can you say no?

What has Aracu done for the roller hockey?
Nothing. He and his other directors are anti-hockey. Have you seen the situation of the roller hockey un Italy? The Mariotti brothers, Bertolucci and Michielon have been playing for more than 10 years in the national team! Is that bad that they are not getting new players... Look a few days ago I was in the USA and I spoke to one of the members of the FIRS Central committee, james Pollard and he told me that if Catalonia had said that they would only compete in roller hockey for a few years, as everyone knows that roller hockey is Catalonia, they would have had a greater chance.

If in Rome thet say no to Catalonia, what will happen?
We would have to go back to the beginnings after having fought really hard to get out of there... Well not really. You must think that even if the Catalan federation loses the voting, the Spanish federation will have to understand that they have a problem: more thatn 90% of the skating is Catalan. It wouldn't make sense that the top representatives of Spain were Liceo, Alcobendas or Tenerife.
And if Catalonia wins in Rome it would be such a Big Bang that they would have to sit down and reach an agreement.
If fact that is what they should have done from the very beginning. Because in the end, this is an identity issue and in Madrid they are very sensible to these things and they don't really want to understand. Last year I spoke very often to Jaime Lissavetzky and Rafael Blaco and once to the Spanish minister of culture and all they say is that only the Spanish national team can represent Spain. But we don't want to represent Spain!

Will you be in Rome?
I have thought about it and I decided not to go. The votes that we are going to get have been more or less decided and since Sabattino Aracu and Roberto Marotta are trying to convince everyone that it is my fault that the FIRS is in this situation, I think it will be easier for everyone if I am not there. I believe it would have a negative effect on the Catalan delegation.

12 months after what happened in Fresno, would you change anything?
Yes. Maybe I wouldn't resign even if that goes agaisnt my beliefs. I mean, ethically, I am convinced that I had to present my resignation since my team and my central committee voted against what I thought it was right. However, many people have told me that it was a mistake. That in sport politics you have to be inside to be able to change something and you have to ignore the ethics and moral.

If you hadn't resigned during the assembly, would had been a secret voting?
No doubt about this. Aracu couldn't have manipulate the assembly as he did. And another thing that someone mentioned to me afterwards: we didn't have to discuss that in Fresno. We could have waited for a few more months and maybe the situation wouldn't had been that tense....

Let's hope that all the hard work that Oliveras de la Riva has put into this since he became FIRS president in 1990 pays back.
At least he has the eternal gratitude of all the Catalan people.
Gracies Isidre!!!

Interview with former FIRS president Oliveras de la Riva (I)

2005-11-19T09:20:00.000Z

From Fresno to Roma. The Catalan hockey was fooled in Fresno and the moral triumph of the decision of the CAS has taken us to Rome.
Oliveras de la Riva, former president of the FIRS is now helping the Catalan federation. However, a year ago the Catalans were full of optimism, now they are full of doubts.

Only 6 days to go. From the chaos of Fresno to the eternal Rome going through the efficiency of Lausanne and the CAS. In 12 months Oliveras de la Riva has gone for being the president of the FIRS to encouraging the Catalan aspirations.

Just after your resignation, you said that you would help the Catalan Federation at any time. Has this happened?
After my resignation I felt relieved. I never said I was neutral. I always fought for what I thoughg it was right and yet from a sportive point of view, no one, absolutely no one can argue that the admission of Catalonia wouldn't have a great postive impact in the sport of roller hockey.
What I have been able to do for Catalonia now is to use my contacts and experience to help them to get the support they need.

Has the Catalan Federation any option this time?
Yes. Right now we have at least the option to have an option. In Fresno, during my speech I advise the FIRS Assembly that we had to respect the law, otherwise the FIRS would have to go to the CAS and that would cost us lots of money. And it proved me right. I didn't want this to happen. But the tension was too high that the Assembly became a disaster and the basic principles were ignored.
The Catalan federation won the CAS appeal and this was the first victory. The second, and possibly the most important, was the sentence stating that with the FIRS statutes in Fresno, the recognition of the Catalan federation was legal. However these statutes have now changed.
That is the reason why the Assembly has to be repeated.
In addition the voting will be secret and this is very important in such a sensible environment. It is very different what people will say in public that what they would say if it was a secret voting.

So, is the Catalan federation favourite to win in Rome?
I believe that only a state can beat another state. I could imagine that but it was all confirmed in Fresno. If Mr Moratinos (Spanish Secretary of International Relations) gets on the phone and rings his a minister in Uruguay, Chile or Brasil, this has an enormous power and influence. "Hey listen, there is something about skating in Catalonia and Spain and you must...." "Ok?" This is extremely powerful. Especially when we are talking about undervelop countries in which the poor president of the skating federation gets a visit of his Prime minister in a Mercedes to tell him that they shouldn't allow Catalonia to go through...

Has Catalonia got more options now though?
Of course. Many more. Fresno was a farse and even though everything was planned they didn't dare to have a secret voting.
And now, we are pessimistic. Look, when that was over we started to work towards today. I started helping a group of people who are working very hard to get this right. We were sure that the Assembly would have to be repeated. They scored with handball, offside and with the referee admiting his mistake! And then there were two things we had to do. The first one is to get to this Assembly as losers, because then the opponent feels that everything is under control and relaxes. The second is to avoid a tense atmosphere. About 60% of FIRS delegates didn't really care about the political implications but they were overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere and the discussions that took place on that day.
Now, I'm not saying that we will be successfull on the voting.

But this time Sabattino Aracu, has had plenty of time to put everything together?
Yes, but I had the same power and we lose. In Miami, the central commitee decided to admit Catalonia by 9 votes to 0. In Fresno we lose 6 to 3. So the power of the president is relative.

In Fresno Aracu warned the Assembly of the effects that the admission of Catalonia would have in the options of being recognised as an Olympic sport.
Yes, and it has proved that he was wrong. In March we provisionally admited Catalonia and in September the IOC selected us as one of the 5 final sports to become Olympic. In November, Catalonia wasn't finally admitted and then in July the IOC didn't admit us.
When I have talked to people from the FIRS I have told them that voting for Catalonia is a legal act and this has been proved by the appeal to the CAS and that the arguments of Sabattino Aracu with regards the Olympic options were completely wrong. FIFA has 24 federations that are not proper estates and football is an Olympic game.
The IOC has no power to influence the decisions of private federations.

Very interesting....more to follow.

The Catalan federation of Korfball has been recognised

2005-10-29T18:11:00.000+01:00

Catalonia has been admited as full member of the International Federation of Korfball (IFK), a federation who is recognised by the International Olympic Commitee (IOC).
This is a big step forward for the aspiration of the Catalans to be able to compete internationally with their own teams and surely will have a great impact in the forthcoming assembly of the FIRS in which the re-admission of Catalonia as a full member will be discussed and voted again.

Catalonia has secured the admission into the IFK after gaining 37 votes out of 42. According to the president of the Catalan Federation of Kofball, Toni Jurado, this decision is final and there is no possible similarity to the situation that the Catalan Federation of Roller Sports suffered in the past. "A new panorama for the Catalan sport has been opened by this decision", Toni Jurado stated after the great news were confirmed.

Well done!!!

Now let's see what is the Spaniards reaction.....It won't take long!!!

For more information on Korfball visit:

http://www.korfbalers.com/index.php

http://www.ikf.org/

Catalan korfball national team

The FIRS assembly will be held on the 24th of November

2005-07-21T22:13:00.000+01:00

The next FIRS assembly, in which Catalonia will have another chance to be recognised as a full member of the FIRS, will take place in Rome on the 24th of November.
Following the decision of the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), the voting of the assembly will have to be secret and on the agenda there will have to be room for Catalonia to expose their point of view and to defend their position.
The assembly will take place during the celebration of the 2005 World Artistic championships Official website that Rome will host from November 17 until November 27.

Catalonia participates in the World Inline Cup

2005-07-21T17:30:00.000+01:00

The Catalan Federation of Roller Sports has sent 2 teams to the World Inline Cup which is being held in Michigan (USA).
The teams are coached by David Planes (men) and Jordi Argullos (women).
The Catalan ladies have played 3 games so far and are third in their division, after beating USA 16U girls and Australia by 3-1 and losing to USA 18U by 9-1.

Full stats and standings: Catalan women team

The men team have also played 3 games with 2 defeats to USA 18U minor and USA 18U major by 6-7 and 1-5 respectively, and one draw 4-4 against Australia.

Full stats and standings : Catalan men team

For more information about this tournament go to World Inline Cup

It is very exciting to see that despite all the difficulties, Catalonia is still represented all over the world. By the way, where is the Spanish team?

The CAS decision can be read online

2005-07-20T17:22:00.000+01:00

The CAS has published their decision in the case the Catalonian Federation filed against the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS).
The document is only available in French and can be downloaded at http://www.tas-cas.org/fr/pdf/catalans.PDF

Happy reading!

The Spaniards strike back (III)

2005-07-16T14:58:00.000+01:00

The reactions on the Spanish side have been, as usual, very belligerent with the CAS decision.
The Spanish federation of roller sports in an official statement declared: "We respect but disagree with the CAS settlement. We are convinced that the Catalan federation will not be recognised as a full member of the FIRS. The Spanish national team is the only one who has international rights to compete internationally and the only one who will participate in the next World Cup in San Jose. The Catalan federation does not belong to the FIRS since that was the situation prior to the CAS decision."

According to the president of the Spanish federation Carmelo Paniagua, the repetition of the FIRS assembly will not alter the the previous outcome since he believes that the majority of federations agree with the Spanish position.
In the arrogant way that distinguises this individual, Paniagua said: "This is not a victory for the Catalans. This sentence will just prolong the agony of the Catalans as they will not be admited in the next assembly."

Well, I'm afraid this is not for you to decide Mr Paniagua...

Catalan reactions to the CAS' decision

2005-07-16T14:02:00.000+01:00

The reactions to the settlement decided by the CAS have been numerous from both sides.
The encouraging resolution of the CAS has been celebrated by the Catalans as a new victory in the struggle to become an independent federation and hence to be able to compete internationally.

Rafel Niubo, Secretary of the Catalan Sports Council, stated yesterday that this is a victory for the Catalan federation: "The score is 2-1 to us now. The game is still on and this resolution give us strength because it shows that legally our dream is possible. The settlement shows that there is no law against the recognition of our federation."
Niubo sent a message to the Spanish Secretary of Sport, Jaime Lissavetzky, when he said: "we want to reach an agreement with the Spanish government. We have to redesign our relations so both national teams can compete internationally in a similar way to Great Britain with England, Scotland and Wales. However, it is not a legal issue anymore. It has now became political issue and it will only be solved with political negotitation. It has been the story of the 3 F's, Fresno, Fiasco and Fraud."

Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan federation, stated: "we will now request the FIRS to invite us to the next World Cup in San Jose. We will also explain to the members of the FIRS rhe significance of the CAS resolution."

Catalonia will have another chance

2005-07-15T17:28:00.000+01:00

The CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) has finally settle the appeal presented by the Catalan Federation of Roller Sports with regards the non-admission of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS.
The decision of the CAS is to invalidate the resolutions of the FIRS Assembly of Fresno, in which Catalonia membership of the FIRS was taken away.
As we explained earlier on this blog, the chaotic assembly of Fresno was full of irregularities and the Catalans were confident all the evidence they had presented would be enough to invalidate the assembly.
More on the Fresno's assembly:

Fresno's Assembly

The decision of the CAS implies that there will have to be a new Assembly in which the admission of Catalonia will have to be discussed again. The CAS has also emphasized that the voting will have to be secret if at least 2 members of the FIRS ask for it.
In addition the CAS resolution has pointed out that the Catalan federation and their representatives will have the right to speak at the assembly and defend their position. Finally they have urged the FIRS to hold the assembly in less that 9 months from today's date.

The negative aspect of the resolution is the fact that the CAS has not recognised the Catalan federation the right to participate in the next World Cup A that will take place next August in San Jose (California).

Therefore, there we are again. All the Catalan diplomacy will have to start to work together in order to maintain the support we already had and to gain additional support from those countries that were simpathetic with the Catalan situtation.
As the president of the Catalan federation, Ramon Basiana, said minutes after the Fresno's assembly: "We have lost a battle, but there is still a war to be won."

The final resolution...today!

2005-07-15T08:08:00.000+01:00

It is expeceted that the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) will announce sometime this morning the decision about the appeal presented by the Catalan Federation of Roller Sports against the FIRS Congress in which the withdrawn of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS was decided.
The CAS will inform Jean Louis Dupont, the Catalans' solicitor, whether this decision will have to be reversed or not.

Court of Arbitration for Sport

Fingers crossed...

More than 30 die in London blasts

2005-07-07T18:16:00.000+01:00

A series of bomb attacks on London's transport network has killed more than 30 people and injured about 350 others.
Three explosions on the Underground left 33 dead and an unknown number died in a blast on a double-decker bus.

From catalanhockey we would like to express our most sincere sympathy to the families and victims of those killed or injured and to all Londoners in general.

London will host the 2012 Olympic Games

2005-07-06T13:15:00.000+01:00

From Catalanhockey we would like to congratulate London as this city has been chosen to host the 2012 Olympics.
London beat Paris on the last round of the voting, after bids from Moscow, New York and Madrid were eliminated.

The Spanish athletes will have to wait. ;-)

Well done London!

Where is the real debate?

2005-07-05T19:15:00.000+01:00

After reading some of the comments made on last Sunday's post it is clear the lack of debate existing at this time. Maybe we could all try to be more sensible and defend our ideas without having to attack someone else's. I do agree with some of the comments that some Spaniards cannot defend their legitimate ideas without being abusive and offensive. Many people visiting this blog have given valid argumentations for the admission of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS. However, I cannot recall any unswerving argument made by any person against the recognition of Catalonia as their opinions seem to be only linked to the political situation and the fact that Catalonia belongs to Spain.

Spanish tactics
The two presidents
Spanish supreme sports council

No sporting issues (the ones that should really prevail) haven been mentioned by those against the recognition of Catalonia. What benefits for the sport of roller hockey would imply the recognition of Catalonia? What detriments and advantages, if any, would that represent for the Spanish federation?

CIRHS views
Oliveras de la Riva
Sport arguments

The real debate is not happening! In fact, there has not been a truthful regular debate since the controversy after the recognition of Catalonia in March 2004. The Spanish argumentation has always been the same. The Catalans are the only ones who have tried to put through coherent points of view and emphasized at all times that the real issue is a sportive and not a political one.

From Catalanhockey@blogspot we welcome the debate. We encourage EVERYONE to give their opinions in a polite and civilised manner although this, some, will never understand.

Catalunya has won the Tarradellas Cup

2005-07-03T22:38:00.000+01:00

Catalonia has won the Tarradellas Cup by beating the local team Blanes by 2 to 0 in a very tight match. The first half ended goaless but 15 minutes into the second half Rodri scored the first goal of the match and in the 21st minute Quim Pujades scored the final 2-0.
Therefore, Catalonia has conquered this prestigious friendly tournament for the second year in a row.
Argentina has finished 3rd after defeating the Reno World Stars team by 4 to 3.

Congratulations Catalunya!

Catalunya to play in the final

2005-07-03T10:34:00.000+01:00

Catalunya will play the final of the Tarradellas cup against Blanes this Sunday evening at 7pm.
Catalunya beat Argentina by 7 to 6 in the semifinals of this competition. The result is a refletion of an extremely exciting and even game in which the Catalan team has been always ahead. The powerful Argentinean team came back twice and was close to upset the Catalans. Catalunya lead by 4-1 half way through the first half with 2 goals of David Caceres, but the Argentineans levelled the game at half time thanks to the 4 goals of Payero. After the half time break, Catalunya score twice again and put the score 6-4. However, Argentina managed to level again and it wasn't until four minutes before the end that the Catalans scored the definite goal.
Hence, 7 to 6 for Catalonia and the Catalans in the final once again.

The Catalan team Blanes will face Catalonia in the final after havind defeated the Reno World Stars team in the penalties shotout. The score after the normal time was 2-2.
Hence Reno World Stars will play Argentina for the 3rd and 4th place.

On the other hand Italy has finished the tournament in 5th position after beating Switzerland by 5-2.

FC BARCELONA wins the OK League

2005-06-26T15:17:00.000+01:00

F.C. Barcelona has won the Spanish OK League by beating Reus Deportiu by 5-0 on the fourth game of the series. Barcelona had won the first two home games and Reus won the third game but this morning Barça proved to be the best team in Europe and conquered their 5th trophy of the season.
Barcelona has also won the Intercontinental Cup, the Spanish Supercup, the Spanish Cup and the European League.

Well done Barça!!

The Catalan team is back

2005-06-20T19:09:00.000+01:00

The Catalan national team played two games last weekend in preparation for the Group Tarradellas Cup that will take place during the 31st of June, 1st, 2nd and 3rd of July in Blanes (Catalunya).

On Saturday, Catalonia won the International Tournament Feltor, by beating the local team Sant Celoni by 12 goals to 3. Llaverola, Tibau, Guillen, Torra, Carbó, Rodri, Edu Fernandez, David Caceres and Freixas played for the Catalans.
On Sunday, Catalonia won the II Memorial Beni, by defeating the local team Piera by 7 goals to 1. On this game, the Igualada hockey keeper Oriol Bargallo got his first cap with the national team.

The Group Tarradellas Coup is one of the most important tournaments of the season, and this year the national teams of Argentine, Italy, Switzerland and Catalonia, together with the OK Premiership league team Blanes and the Reno World Stars will compete for this prestigious trohpy.
Catalonia has been drawn in group B together with Switzerland and Blanes. Group A will be formed by Argentine, Italy and Reno World Stars.

It is worth mentioning that the Spanish national team was also invited to participate in the Tarradellas Cup but refused to take part in this tournament.

We wonder why...

More info at: http://www.lamevaweb.info/575

New FIRS website

2005-06-12T18:27:00.000+01:00

The FIRS has finally set up a new website much better and comprehensive than it was before, and that we celebrate.
However, the retaliation against the Catalan Federation from the new President Sabatino Aracu, didn't stop at the shameful Congress in Fresno. The information about the Catalan federation, that appeared in the FIRS website prior to the update, has been taken off and the details no longer appear in the website.
New FIRS website
Interesting to see that other federations of countries without a state such as Scotland or Macau have not been removed and still appear in the website.

More about Sabatino Aracu: The infamous Sabatino Aracu

The conclusion in two months

2005-05-28T13:58:00.000+01:00

This is the time expected for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to resolve on the appeal presented by the Catalan Federation after the oral hearing that took place yesterday in Lausanne (Switzerland).
For more than 6 hours the two parts involved, Catalan federation and FIRS, presented their conclusions and witnesses.
Due to a clause of confidentiality, hardly any details of the hearing have been made public, but the Catalan representatives admitted they were quite happy with the developments of the hearing.
Ramon Basiana, President of the Catalan Federation, Ignasi Donate, director of the Catalan Council of Sport and Jean-Louis Dupont the prestigious belgian lawyer, were the representatives of the Catalan cause. On the other hand, the FIRS was represented by the General Secretary, Roberto Marotta and their lawyer, the Italian Francesco Malatesta.

It is known, that the Catalans presented four witnesses: the formers president and vice-president of the FIRS, Isidre Oliveras de la Riva and Ernesto Gonzalez Molina respectively, and two Mexican directors, the vice-president of the American Confederation, Minu Cortes and the president of the Mexican Federation of Roller Sports, Juan Carlos Hernandez.
Two more witnesses had been summoned, the vice-director of the Spanish Council of Sport, Jose Luis Aguado and the actual president of the FIRS, but none of them turned up for the hearing.

It must be remembered that the two Mexican witnesses demanded without success the secret vote on the last FIRS general Assembly in Fresno, hence their presence as witnesses on the Catalan side.
Apparently, the arguments of the FIRS were mainly based on the results of the voting held in Fresno, in which Catalonia was clearly refused as full member of the FIRS. According to the FIRS, the overwhelming difference in votes proves the position of the majority of members of the FIRS.
Conversely, the Catalans believe that the value of democracy is not the quantity of votes but the quality of the electoral process, and this process was not fair because some members requested a secret voting and this was denied, which according to the Catalan representatives, would invalidate the whole process.

The Catalans have praised the professionality of the three members of the Tribunal and have confirmed that they will respect whichever decision they take.

Justice will be done!

Possible scenarios

2005-05-27T11:00:00.000+01:00

There are three possible scenarions of the final resolution that the TAS will announce today.

1st Reject the Catalan appeal.
2nd Accept the Catalan appeal and force the FIRS to re-admit the Catalan national team as full member of the International Federation.
3rd Oblige the FIRS to repeat the Assembly held in Fresno.

In case of a positive resolution for the Catalan appeal the most probably scenario would be the 3rd one. However, this would imply that the Catalan federation will become again a provisional member of the FIRS as it was before Fresno's assembly.
Since the next FIRS congress has not been scheduled until 2007, surely that would imply that, if the FIRS doesn't decide to have an extraordinary congress, Catalonia would be in a position of demand to participate in the next World Cup to be held next August in San Jose.
Hence, Catalonia would play in group A together with Portugal, Angola and Chile, and Macau who took the place of Catalonia. will not be allowed to play.

Very exciting isn't it? Let's wait and see....

The CAS will announce their decision this month

2005-05-05T19:50:00.000+01:00

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that on the 27th of May, there will be an audience between them, the Catalan Federation of Roller Hockey and the FIRS, to discuss the appeal presented by the Catalans against the decision of the FIRS to overturn the recognition of the Catalan Federation as full members of the FIRS.
After listening to both parts, the CAS will analyze all the documentation and will fail for or against the appeal presented by the Catalans' lawyer Jean Louis Dupont.
The resolution of the (in)famous FIRS assembly held in Fresno
FIRS assembly minute by minute updates
kathie Fries Skatelogcom report
was against the hopes of the Catalans, but the whole assembly was a fiasco and suspicious of being influenced by political pressures, some of which have been proved to be true.
Colombian member
Mexican member
The plot reveals

The Catalan federation believe that, considering the precedents and resolutions to past appeals, there should be a final resolution before July, as most members will be on holiday after that month, and then the resolution couldn't be give until September.

The main points of the Catalan appeal were based on the violation of the FIRS statutes by the Central Committee who after accepting the appeal of Catalonia, did not allow any of the Catalan representatives to be heard during the following day Congress, and the decision to have an open vote when according to the FIRS statutes there is enough with the request of a full member -there were three- for the voting to be secret.
In addition the appeal elaborated by Dupont has also make clear - and has presented testimonial proof of the political pressures against some members of the FIRS that allegedly influenced the voting.

Both Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan federation, and Jean-Louis Dupont will be present at the audience with the CAS and it is not discarded that one of the witnesses of the Catalans will also be present.
The conditions of the process have not been made public because there is a strict clause of confidentiality.
However, a very interesting fact is that the court will be formed by three members chosen of among the 274 that form CAS. The first member is chosen by the CAS. The other two members are chosen by the two parts. This selection is usually made depending on the theoretical ideological or conceptual proximity of the lawyer with the posture of each part.
In this sense, it is necessary to remember the selection of the FIRS was made before the elections of the 12th February. Hence, officially the member of the court would have not been not chosen by the Italian Sabattino Aracu, the new president and great defender of the interests of the Spaniards, but by Francisco González, the Argentinian vice-president, who was an intimate friend of the former president Isidro Oliveras de la Riva, and allegedly, favourable to the admission of the Catalans.

Very exciting indeed!

We are back in business

2005-05-05T18:19:00.000+01:00

Yes, after a long long time, we are finally back in business.
Due to some technical and logistical problems, I haven't been able to update the website with new information. Unfortunately, not much has happened over the last two months but it looks like some exciting news might be on their way, and from catalanhockey we will keep you updated with the last minute information.
So, if you have been loyal to us, thank you for coming back. If you are new, please be welcomed!

UNA NACIO, UNA SELECCIO!
ONE NATION, ONE SELECTION!

Reactions to the new rules tested in Catalonia

2005-01-13T18:51:00.000Z

Since my last post in which I exposed the new rules tested in the game between Catalonia and the Reno All Stars team (New rules tested), many roller hockey fans and amateur and professional players have expressed their opinion about these variations.
Here is a summary of their opinions:

-David Busquets (Igualada, Catalonia) : "I liked the new rules. I really enjoyed the game as it has been a very lively match with loads of opportunities to score. The new rules help the attacking game and this is always good for any sport."

-Oriol Bargallo (Igualada,Catalonia) : "Talking about the new goals, I don't think the problem is about the quantity of goals that are being scored at the moment. To me is more about making the game more exciting and spectacular. I think most goalies would find difficult to get used to the new goals. It would be harder to stop the high shots and balls to the top corners."

-James Taylor (UK, Bassano) : "One rule that I took to alot was the bigger goals,it created more goals and made the game more exciting. The players didnt take full advantage of the goals however because we were not used to them but if we had of just imagine how many more goals there would have been as it finished at 13-9 . I didnt like the direct free hit rule where if you made 5 fouls it was a direct free hit because I like to play my game hard and it wasnt possible with this rule. As for the anti dew being the half way line I dont think it made any diffrence, and the referees on skates just looked stupid, they found it hard to turn and keeo up as they werent at the same level of skating which is understandable."

-Boris Tarassioux (http://www.inforoller.com/fr/index2.htm) : "I think the referees wearing skates makes them lose in speed and placement. The size of the goals it definetely means more goals. I think a lot because the placement of goalkeeper is not perfect. But certainly a good idea, if we can try this not just in one game but on a yaer championship to see all consequences of the rule. The antiplay line being at 20 metres (normally it is at 22m), I think in a little rink, it is a bad solution. From the 5th foul of each team each foul was awarded with a direct free hit.Good rule but direct free hit is done two with antiplay line, ball out of rink. So this was ridiculous. Also, when James Taylor came in he immediatly did a foul which gave a direct free hit."

An online discussion is going on at:
Talkrollerhockey.net

Hockey Champions League results

2005-01-09T13:05:00.000Z

3 Catalan teams are participating in the Champions League that just started yesterday.
Igualada, Reus and FC Barcelona played their first games of the competition against Uttingen, Barcelos and Olivereinse respectively.
Igualada had an easy game and crashed the Swiss team by 7-0; Reus beat the Portuguese team Barcelos by 2-0 and FC Barcelona surprisingly lose at home against the also Portuguese Olivereinse by 2 goals to 3.

UTTIGEN 0. Stephan Pauli, Reto Beer, Simon Grossen, Cristoph Gurtner, Marcel Althaus, equip inicial. Philipp Mühle, Andreas Münger
HORMIPRESA IGUALADA 7. Bargalló. Càceres, Busquets, Cabestany (2), Edu (2), equip inicial. Torras (1), Montferri, Raventós, Hinojal (1).
0-1 Cabestany m. 6
0-2 Edu m. 7
0-3 Edu m. 15
0-4 Torras m 24'59
0-5 Raventós m. 38
0-6 Cabestany m. 43
0-7 Freddy Hinojal m 49.

FC BARCELONA EXCELENT, 2. Egurrola, JL Páez, D. Páez, Borregán,C. López , Benito, Panadero, Masoliver
OLIVEIRENSE, 3. Silva, Resendes, Didi, To Neves,Magro, Pedro Lopes, Fernandes

1-0 David Páez 8'
2-0 Borregán 33'
2-1 Resendes 38'
2-2 To Neves 44'
2-3 Didí 48'

Interview with Josep Vigueras, MD of Reno

2005-01-04T16:59:00.000Z

Our friends of Igualada weblog (http://www.lamevaweb.info/575) published an interview with Josep Vigueras, Managing Director of the worldwide known hockey manufacturers Reno.
This is a translation of the interview:

Josep, where did the idea of organising this event come from?
From July 2004 Reno has been sponsoring FC Barcelona and one of the clausules in the contract allow us to use the Palau Blaugrana for one day a year. We had been wanting to organise something with the Catalan federation for a while, but couldn't find a suitable date. Last July I spoke to Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan federation and told him that I'd like Catalonia to play the Reno World Stars as a testimonial for the players who won the B World Cup in Macau. Basiana agreed and from Reno we started working to get the best team of the world.

And after that, the shame of Fresno took place.
Yes, but we had decided that whatever the outcome of Fresno was we would play the game. And after the events in Fresno we thought that "now more than ever" we had to carry on and support the Catalan hockey.

The truth is that Josep Vigueras and Reno have been brave and showed their support to the Catalan national team.
Yes. We will do what we can to support the Catalan federation. I believe that the recognition of Catalonia would be very good for both the Spanish and the international hockey. I truly think that the hockey in Spain would grow a lot if Catalonia has its own national team, as the Spaniards would have to invest in the sport more than are doing now.

Besides the emotional aspect for the Catalans, the game against the Reno World Stars was planned to be a good spectacle, wasn't it?
We are convinced that hockey can improve with the introducion of new rules, such as bigger goals, referees wearing skates (to increase their speed and mobility and maybe having only one referee), and free hits from the 5th team foul. We would like scores such as 15 to 14. We want a good show. I have been a hockey player myself and I got very upset when last weekend in a big game Barca v Liceo the Palau was half empty. We want the fans to go back the the rinks!

What are your previsions for tonight's game?
We think it will be a full house. With four or 5 thousand people we would be more than happy but we might have to close doors when the demonstrations finishes. The events will start at half two in the afternoon with competitions for kids, girls game, speed shows, free hits etc.
As I said before we want spectacle in the world of roller hockey.

Last question. Is this a one off thing or you are thinking about making it permanent?
We would like to organise it every year. What we haven't decided is whether it will be always in Barcelona or we could hold it in different cities or towns or maybe doing it more than once every year and in different places.
All we want is to promote hockey.

Very interesting interview. From catalanhockey we thanks Mr Vigueras and encourage him to keep up the good work.

Links:
www.lamevaweb.info/575
www.hockeyreno.com/

More reactions from Macau

2005-01-02T16:27:00.000Z

If someone got really benefited from the FIRS decision not to admit Catalonia into its ranks as a national team, this was Macau.
Macau, who finished 4th in the last B World Cup, will participate in the next World Cup to be held in San Jose in 2005, taking the place that Catalonia deservedly won on the rink.
However, from Macau they keep attacking the Catalans as if they weren't happy enough with the results of the FIRS congress in Fresno.
Hence, the first online newspaper in Macau, pontofinalmacau.com accuses the Catalan government of conspiring in the last World Cup, only because some members of the Catalan government decided to take half a day off on their official trip to China to attend the final of the World Cup in which Catalonia beat England by 6 goals to 0.

The full article can be found at:
http://www.pontofinalmacau.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=6297&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Felic Any Nou 2005!!!!

2004-12-31T20:52:00.000Z

Wishing you all the best in 2005!

Us desitjo tot el millor per aquest Any Nou 2005!!

New rules tested in the friendly game

2004-12-31T16:06:00.000Z

The friendly game in which Catalonia beat the Reno All Stars by 13 to 8, was used to test new rules that according to Reno would increase the emotion and make the game of roller hockey more spectacular.
These are the rules that were tested:
- the two referees wore roller skates.
- the goals were bigger (ice hockey size)
- the antiplay line was at 20 metres (normally it is at 22m)
- there was no substitution when a player is excluded
- from the 5th foul of each team each foul was awarded with a direct free hit.

Well, according to the final result and to the opinions of some players after the game and despite the fact that it was a friendly game, it seems that the new rules worked quite well!

Minute by minute updates on the Catalan demonstration and sport events

2004-12-29T18:04:00.000Z

19 10 According to the Catalan radio station RAC1 (www.rac1.net) around 20 000 people are demonstrating in Barcelona

19 12 Representatives of all Catalan political parties (except the PP) are present at the demonstration

19 13 Around 2 500 people are already at the Palau Blaugrana participating in the roller sports events that have been taking place since 15 30.

19 15 Sergi Panadero has won the shootout competition.

19 16 David Moner, president of the UFEC has confirmed that more than 20 000 people are participating in the demonstration through the streets of Barcelona.

19 21 More people are joining the demonstration as it goes through the streets of Barcelona.

19 24 UNA NACIO,UNA SELECCIO!! is the sole voice of the people of Catalonia demonstrating tonight in Barcelona.

19 27 The Catalan roller hockey team and the Reno All Starts are already warming up at the Palau Blaugrana's rink.

19 30 Jaume Roure, president of the Catalan federation of football, believes that it is a success to have gathered more than 20 000 people in support to the Catalan national teams. According to Roura more than 65 000 tickets had been already sold for the football game.

19 37 According to the organization, the number of demonstrators has increased to 30 000.

19 50 The beginnings of the demonstration have reached the end and it has started to dissolve.

19 52 The girls of CP Olot, gold medal in Fresno, are at this moment performing "Freedom", the performance that made them finish top in the last championship in Fresno.

20 07 The Catalan national anthem is playing at the Palau Blaugrana while players from both teams are paying respect.

20 08 A minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in South Asia has being observed.

20 10 Different rules will be used in this game as a test for a better and more modern game.

20 15 The game has just started. More than 7 000 spectators at the Palau Blaugrana.

20 54 At half time the result between Catalunya and Reno All Stars is 5-6 to Reno All Stars.

21 30 The match has concluded with the victory of Catalonia over the Reno All Stars by the final result of 13 to 8.

21 32 The friendly football game between Catalonia and Argentina is ready to start. The players from both sides are on the pitch.

21 33 The Argentinian national anthem is playing at the Nou Camp. Around 6000 Argentinians are supporting their team in the stadium.

21 35 The Catalan national anthem is being played now. More than 70 000 Catalan fans are singing in the stands.

22 15 Half time. Argentina leads 1-0.

22 25 The Catalan hockey team, winners of the B World Cup in Macau, are now on the pitch receiving the recognition of the Catalan and Argentinian fans. Ivan Tibau, captain of the team has read a speech in defense of the Catalan national teams.

23 15 The game has ended with the final result of Catalonia 0 Argentina 3.

It has been a wonderful night for the Catalan sport. It has been shown worldwide that Catalan people love their hockey and roller sports in general and that they will keep fighting for what they want, the recognition of their national teams.

UNA NACIO, UNA SELECCIO! ONE NATION, ONE SELECTION!

Listen to it live at www.rac1.net

A celebration for Catalan sport!

2004-12-29T11:23:00.000Z

This is what all the different events that will take place today will aim to be, a celebration for Catalan sport! The best way to show the world what Catalans want and what we are able to do.
Here a summary of all the activities that will take place today in cronological order:

14 30 Children tournament: 10 minutes games between teams of 5-6 years old kids.
16 00 Female roller hockey game: Catalan national team v U-18 Catalan team.
17 30 Score a goal competition: Penalty shoutout by 10 U-12 children
18 00 Speed & ability circuit: 10 world class players will compete in this event.
18 30 Score & come to the Final four: will anyone score from midfield?
18 40 Free kick competition: 10 world class players will compete for a 500 euros prize.

19 00 to 19 50 Demonstration in support of the Catalan national team

19 50 Show skating exhibition: Alba Perez and the CP Olot, winners of the gold medal in the 2004 World Roller Figure Skating Championship in Fresno will perform "Freedom", a "gut-wrenching" heartfelt performance, according to Kathie Fry.

20 00 International game: Catalunya v Reno All Stars. (Live on C33)

21 30 International football friendly: Catalunya v Argentina (Live on TV3 and Eurosport)

At half time, Ivan Tibau captain of the Catalan hockey team, will read a plea in defense of the Catalan national teams.

A great day of sport, a great day for the Catalan people united with one sole voice:
UNA NACIO, UNA SELECCIO! ONE NATION, ONE SELECTION!!

Give your support

2004-12-28T13:24:00.000Z

If you will not be able to attend the demonstration you can still show your support by clicking on the following link.

http://www.seleccionscatalanesara.com/adhereixte.htm

More than 1500 individuals and organisations have expressed their support already. You must be the next one!!!!

The Catalan people will demonstrate on the 29th of December

2004-12-24T16:15:00.000Z

The Union of Catalan Sports Federations (UFEC) has officially announced a demonstration for the recognition of the Catalan national team, to take place in Barcelona on the 29th of November.
It is predicted that around 25 000 people will demonstrate in the streets of Barcelona just hours before the popular Christmas football game that will take place between Catalonia and Argentina. The demonstration will begin around 19 00 at the junction between Travessera de les Corts and Numancia and will end one hour later at the Nou Camp.
At 20 00 Catalonia´s hockey team will play the Reno All Starts and one hour and a half later Catalonia´s football team will play against Argentina in the tradional Christmas game.
Although the demostration has been supported by the Catalan civil society, all the Catalan political parties with the exception of the PP, together with work unions and other civil organisations are expected to give their support and participate in the demonstration.

David Moner, president of the UFEC has stated that : "it is about time that all the political parties take part to support the Catalan national team. Catalunya is top of the world in many sports but we cannot improve because we cannot go any further and compete internationally. The UFEC is working closely with Catalan government to gain the international recognition of other Catalan federations."
In addition, Moner has stated that: " There are times in which it is necessary to go out to the streets to express our feelings. In 1979 the Catalan people wanted a statut and more than a million people demonstrated and we finally got it. If we have to, we will go to Madrid in 5000 coaches to ask for the recognition of the Catalan teams."

All the information about the demonstration, including directions can be found at: www.seleccionscatalanesara.com

In addition if you cannot be present at the demonstration you still can give your support in the above site.

I would like to see more than 25 000 people there! In fact, since there would be at least 90 000 at the football game, I am confident that more than 50 000 will demonstrate in Barcelona...

Catalunya to face Andorra tonight

2004-12-22T19:52:00.000Z

The Catalan team who won the B World Cup in Macau will play Andorra in a friendly game tonight.
The Pabello Comunal d'Andorra will hold the game from 20 00. It must be remembered that these two teams played against each other in one of the semi-finals of the World Cup in Macau where Catalonia beat Andorra by 8-0.
The Catalan coach, Camps, will play the same men that play in Macau with the addition of FC Barcelona´s forward Sergi Panadero who will play in substitution of David Caceres, Igualada's forward, who has a groin injury.

The people from Osona will demonstrate today

2004-12-18T11:49:00.000Z

A demonstration in support of the Catalan national teams will take place today at 18 00 in the Placa Major de Vic.
Last Tuesday 14th, in a press conference at Club Pati Vic, the Commission "One nation, one selection", explained the reasons behind this demonstration and also informed that the commission is working towards helping for the recognition of the Catalan hockey team and getting the support of the people of Osona.

For this reason the commission is selling banners for 5 euros (see picture above) in order to finance the journey to Barcelona for the demonstration of the 29th of December.
In addition the contacts and collaboration with the two main roller hockey teams in Osona, C.P Vic and C.P Voltrega has been strengthened over the past weeks.
These two teams, big rivals on the rink, have offered all their support and will attend the demonstration just 24 hours before the local derby that will confront them.

From here we can only congratulate the commission and offer all our support.

Links:
Commission "One Nation, one Selection": www.unanaciounaseleccio.tk/
Osona.com : www.osona.com/SeleccioCatalanaHoquei.htm

Catalunya v All Stars

2004-12-15T18:05:00.000Z

Today has been presented in Barcelona the friendly game that the Catalan national team will play against an "All Stars" team, on the 29th of December in the Palau Blaugrana (Barca's hockey rink).
The game will start at 20 00 and will have some of the best world players in both sides. The Catalan team will be mainly made up the players that won the B World Cup in Macau, with the addition of some players who couldn't play in Macau because they had already played with Spain in the European Championship. The All Stars team will include Argentinian, Italian and Portuguese players who play in the arguably best hockey league in the world , the OK Liga.
FC Barcelona's Negro Paez will the captain of the world selection.
This game will be played just minutes after the big demonstration that will take place in support of the Catalan national teams.

The Catalan appeal filed today

2004-12-14T10:59:00.000Z

The Catalan Federation of Roller Sports will present today in Lausanne (Switzerland) an appeal against the decision taken by the FIRS to reject the provisional recognition of the Catalan federation.
Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont will legally represent the Catalan federation.
The main points of the Catalan appeal are based on the violation of the FIRS statutes by the Central Committee who after accepting the appeal of Catalonia, did not allow any of the Catalan representatives to be heard during the following day Congress.
The appeal elaborated by Dupont will also make clear - and will present testimonial proof of the political pressures against some members of the FIRS that allegedly influenced the voting.

Hopefully the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) will act sensibly different than the FIRS Committee and will take all the opinions into consideration.
Out of 186 judges members of the TAS, three will be picked up to take the case. In addition, both the FIRS and the Catalan Federation will be asked to present evidence.
The TAS will resolve before the next World Cup in San Jose and it is expected that its decision will be that of invalidate what happened in Fresno. Consequently the scenario would be the same as it was just after the resolution of Miami, in which Catalonia was provisionally accepted as a new member of the FIRS.
If that happens, Catalonia should be allowed to participate in the A World Cup and then the possible decision of Spain would be to withdraw from the World Cup and to boycott the participation of Catalonia (as they did in the inline World Cup).

Again, let's wait and see!!

Mexican member presents resignation after the events in Fresno

2004-12-06T19:10:00.000Z

Minu Cortes, the Mexican member of the FIRS, resigned, just after the events of Fresno, from all her responsibilities as vice-president for North America of the Pan-American Confederation of Roller Sports and member of the Sub-Committee CIRH Women Roller Hockey.
Cortes also resigned from all her tasks as director of roller sports in Mexico.
Minu Cortes was one of the FIRS members who unsuccessfully requested in two occasions that the admission of Catalonia was voted secretly.

Macau will take Catalonia's place in the World Cup

2004-12-05T13:54:00.000Z

The decisions taken in Fresno not only made the Spaniards happy. In Macau, they took the news with great joy since that meant that they will be allowed to place the World Cup in San Jose instead of Catalonia.
This is an extract of Macau's online newspaper's article Ponto Final:
Macau's hockey national team will finally see its dream come true. The no ratification of Catalonia as full member of the FIRS will allow Macau to take part in the World Cup.
However, the Catalans are not satisfied and they have already announced that they will appeal to the court.
Although only finishing fourth in the B World Cup of Macau, the team trained by Carlos Lisbon has benefited from the 'expulsion' of Catalonia. According to statutes of the FIRS, in case that some country (or region) retires or is disqualified, the remaining teams will move up a place in the tournament table.Thus, England, will become the winner of the 2004 B World Cup, Andorra will be the runners-up and Macau will get the third place.
The president of the Catalan Federation Ramon Basiana, publicly declared that he agrees with the decision of the government of Catalonia to remove the subsidies granted to the FIRS. "We will cancel the project of organising the 2009 first World-wide Games of Roller Sports., which were going to take place in the city of Barcelona."
On the other hand, Antonio Aguiar, vice-president of the Asian Confederation of Roller Hoquei, signed, last Saturday, a protocol with the Spanish government for the development of roller sports in Asia. In declaration to the newspaper Today Macau, Antonio Aguiar, advanced that the agreement contemplates monetary aids, training programs and the exchange of technicians. Objective: to prepare the participation in the next world championship.

Excellent job Spain!

Source:
http://www.pontofinalmacau.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=6054&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Interview with David Moner, president of the UFEC

2004-12-05T13:27:00.000Z

The Madrid-based sports daily newspaper, AS, published an interview with David Moner, president of the Union of Catalan Sport Federations.
This newspaper has been very belligerent with the Catalans in the past and has clearly positioned itself against the recognition of Catalonia (as most Spanish media).

Here is the interview:

03.12.2004

David Moner, President of the Union of Sport Federations of Catalonia, is convinced that in less than two years "many Catalan selections will be recognized and will compete in Europe".

How can you explain the final result of the FIRS voting?
The whole Congress was a shame and disgraceful and strongly influenced by the Spanish government. If the voting had been secret we would have won by majority. The put pressure on all the delegations and they sent threatening letters. I represent the Catalan sport, more than 10 000 federated clubs, and we only wanted to be threated normally. All we want is to live in a normal country, without pressures. It is not a sin to revindicate our selections.

Did the Catalan politicians celebrate the B World Cup in excesss?
In March, the Catalans scored a great goal against Gomez Angulo and the Spanish Federation. And now they have scored. It is half time and we are drawingm, the game is still being played. Maybe the Catalan politicians celebrated the title too much but the threatening letters of the Spanish government were decisive.

Did the Catalan politicians fail?
Everyone failed, the Catalan and the Spanish. To the Spaniards this issue has become fundamentalist. The Catalan sportsmen believe in dialogue but we do not want that, after 25 years of democracy, some Spanish politicians, who are authentic talibans, come to us repeating that Spain is a great one and free (NB: "Una grande y libre", was Franco's motto).

Despite the result of the voting you will still appeal to the TAS?
Yes, we will request justice because in Fresno all the FIRS's statutes were violated. And we are going to win. Surely. Sooner or later we will obtain our objective and we will compete in Europe. And this is something that all the Spanish politicians and the presidents of the national federations will have to accept.

Do you share Carod Rovira's opinion on Madrid 2012?
(NB: Carod Rovira appealled the Catalans to show opposition to Madrid's bid for the Olympics)
No. The Catalan sport supports the candidacy of Madrid the same that we would support Seville or Cuenca. The UFEC is not represented by any politician and we are not separatists.

Is your next objective to propose a Catalan for the presidency of the Spanish Federation of roller sports?
We would like that to happen but before we must negotiate with the Spanish Superior Council of Sports.

In two years how many Catalan national teams will obtain the international recognition?
Enough. More than five or six. And it will be normal. For example the Catalan federation of Bodybuilders has competed in the last world-cup alongside the Spanish and nothing has happened.

Source:
http://www.as.com/articulo.html?xref=20041203dasdaimas_10&type=Tes&d_date=20041203&anchor=dasmas

Watch Sabatino Aracu

2004-12-01T17:41:00.000Z

You can now see Sabatino Aracu's intervention at the FIRS assembly and an interview for an Italian television just after the voting against Catalonia.

FIRS speech: http://www.artisticworldcup.org/allegati/intSabatino1.wmv

Interview: http://www.artisticworldcup.org/allegati/intSabatino2.wmv

Many thanks to http://catxipanda.splinder.com/ for passing me this information.

How much we love this guy!!! :-)

The plot reveals

2004-11-30T20:57:00.000Z

Only a few days have past since the "fiasco" of Fresno and the pressures made by the Spanish government in order to avoid the recognition of Catalonia, have started to come to the light.
Speaking to Catalunya Radio, the representative of the Chilean federation, Armando Quintanilla, accused the Spanish federation of pressuring the south American countries against the admission of Catalonia. Quintanilla stated that members of the Spanish federation traveled to the South American under 16 Championship just two weeks before the FIRS Congress and once there they promised many countries help for voting against Catalonia.
Quintanilla also stated that : " the Spanish federation sent loads of faxes and emails telling us what to vote or otherwise we would lose some of the economic help that they provide."
According to Quintanilla the FIRS Congress was a shame and it has been the sport of roller hockey they main affected by this situation.

The Czeck Republic representative Radek Pavelec, has also admitted that his federation received pressures from the Spanish government.

In addition, a letter of the Spanish Council for Sports (CSD) to the Colombian federation in which the Spaniards were asking for the vote against Catalonia has been made public. In that letter the CSD states that the recognition of Catalonia would alter the Spanish sport national unity and would create a wrong precedent.
The same letter was sent to some other south American federations.

The German representative admitted that she was contacted by the German MP for Sport demanding the vote against Catalonia. Literally he asked her to make sure she was coming back from Fresno with a "no" against Catalonia.

More to come....

Hockey star Gaby Cairo speaks out

2004-11-29T21:18:00.000Z

Gaby Cairo, the FC Barcelona Argentinean player in an interview published in his website, has defended the Catalan national teams and has expressed his disappointment for the final result of the meeting in Fresno.

This is a summary of the interview:

"It is very difficult to be able to express at the moment, the feeling of rage, sadness and impotence that I feel due to the events that happened in Fresno.
There is no way to accept the shoddy work that has taken place in the city of Fresno, the brazenness of people that,like it has always been done in our sport, back handed without no democratic consideration nor moral repairs.
I consider myself to be a neutral person, and that gives me the moral authority to think with objectivity on what occurred the these days in the U.S.A.
It is true though that my links to Catalunya makes me understand and defend the fight for their sport rights at world-wide level, but is not less certain that those rights are legal and loyal.
Their aspirations where snatched even before the start of the Congress in a dictatorial and totally malicious way.
In conclusion, I do not know if someday justice will be made but I'm sure this week will be recorded as the blackest and most irrational in the history of roller hockey.
I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be present in the Olympic games of Barcelona 92 because now with this people who rule the FIRS, our sport will never be able to play in the Olympic games again.
God bless hockey and God bless Catalunya "

Gaby Cairo

Thank you Gaby!

Full interview:
http://www.gabycairo.com/noti2711.html

Will the Catalans split from the Spanish federation?

2004-11-29T16:30:00.000Z

After the disappointment of Fresno, the Catalan federation will seriously consider to split itself from the Spanish federation and to create its own league.
Although this might come as a shock for some, the idea is not that injudicious.
Ramon Baisana, president of the Catalan federation of roller sports (FCP) has admitted that this is a possibility to ponder.
Oliveras de la Riva, already former president of the FIRS, speaking with the Catalan radio station RAC1 acknowledged this option and confessed that it could be a sensible way forward for the Catalan hockey.
Similarly to what happened with the European basketball a few years ago, the Catalan federation would create a professionaly managed league in which all the Catalan teams would be able to compete. We must remember that 12 out of the 16 teams of the actual Spanish OK league are from Catalonia.
The downside of this would be the probable retaliation from the Spanish federation and from the International Committee of Rink Hockey, who could banned the Catalan teams from participating in European competitions.
Whatever decision the FCP takes, it has been confirmed by the Catalan government that they will still have the same budget as they have at the present.
Inevitably, the creation of a new league and the consequent separation of the Catalan federation from the Spanish, would mean the end of the roller hockey in Spain. Given that 12 out of the 16 best teams in the Spanish league are from Catalonia and that around 95% of the players and coaches are Catalans, the quality and the the structure of the professional teams remaining in the Spanish league would get very affected.

Is this the way forward? well, ask yourselves something: have we got any other options?

Sabatino Aracu admits plot against Catalonia

2004-11-28T19:30:00.000Z

The president of the Italian federation of roller sports, general secretary of the FIRS and firm candidate to become the new president of the FIRS, Sabatino Aracu, has admitted in the website of his political party Forza Italia, that he activated a political plot to avoid the recognition of Catalonia as member of the FIRS.
Literally, Aracu states that: "following precise instructions from the President of Italy and according to the suggestions and pressures that other governments have directed towards me in the past months, I activated a plot of international mediation that has determined the vote of the members of the FIRS Executive Committee against Catalonia".
Aracu, proudly adds that: "by doing this I have eliminated the possibility of a dangerous precedent that would have encouraged the nationalism present in Spain and many other countries".

In any other country, these words would be taken very seriously and an immediate resignation would be expected.

Read Aracus' press note:
http://www.forzaitalia.org/gruppo/deputati/leggiComunicati.asp?codiceDeputato=17&news_id=2341

The Catalan federation will go to the tribunals

2004-11-28T13:24:00.000Z

The Catalan federation has decided to oppose in Lausanne its exclusion of the FIRS.
The expulsion of the Catalan Federation of Skating after having being provisionally admitted last March in Miami, can bring manifold as much consequences in this sport as in the fight by the international recognition of the Catalan sport selections.
The strange circumstances in which the refusal took place will entail that the subject has continuity in the courts.
The strategy of the Catalan hockey is determined by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, famous by the Bosman case and contracted by the Catalan government. Dupont affirmed on Friday that although "it is not good to take decisions in the heat of the moment, we should take the case to the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) that is made up of impartial judges who can distribute justice in this subject".
If the Catalans resort to the CAS they will have to do so in the term of 20 days and the decision could be known in a term between six and eight months.

Catalonia loses the World Cup won in Macau

2004-11-28T11:56:00.000Z

One of the consequences of the polemic FIRS congress in Fresno is that Catalonia will have to renounce to the B World Cup title that they deservedly won in Macau a few weeks ago.
All the effort and excellent hockey that some innocent players put together to lift the first World Cup for Catalonia has vanished thanks to the dirty politics and interests of a bunch of politicians that don't really care about hockey.

From this site I would like to express my appreciation to every single member of that Catalan team who made us proud of loving hockey and being Catalans. Thank you!

Sabatino Aracu

2004-11-27T15:19:00.000Z

Our Italian friends have posted a picture and the email address of Sabation Aracu, the Italian MP for the right-wing party Forza Italia, who behaved like a dictator in yesterday's FIRS meeting.
More articles and the Italian point of view at:
http://catxipanda.splinder.com/
http://ilfurlanist.splinder.com/

Feel free to email Sabatino Aracu at ARACU_S@camera.it

Spanish dirty politics

2004-11-27T13:54:00.000Z

"Spanish dirty politics". This is the subtitle of my log. Something that I thought it could happen but I hoped it wouldn't.
Unfortunately, in the 21st century there are still some so-called democratic countries that think they can use everything they want in order to accomplish their objectives.
This is what happened yesterday in the annual congress of the FIRS in Fresno (California).
The scenes lived in the Assembly made clear that there was a plot so that Catalunya wasn't recognised as a full member of the FIRS.
It was a monumental scandal. A shameful end for an authentic collective shame, that made the former president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva, to publicly apologise in behave of the world of roller sports.

It all started when the General Secretary of the FIRS, Roberto Maroto, proposed to vote the ratification of the decision taken by the Executive Committee of invalidating the provisional admission of Catalonia.
Ignacio González, lawyer of the Spanish, stormed off his seat shouting and asking for that voting not to take place.
From that moment the chaos took over the meeting.
First the possibility of secret voting was prevented (despite the fact that more than two federations requested so), later it was said that the voting was to say no to the provisional admission of Catalonia, which really confused most of the FIRS, and finally the Catalan federation was not allowed to take the work and defense their arguments.
Jean Louis Dupont, lawyer of the Catalan federation, approached the microphone but he was prevented to speak by the Italian Aracy and the Spanish lawyer Gozalez.
In this scandalous climate and while some South American members requested explanations, the Secretary General started up the voting, that resulted in 114 yes (not to Catalunya), 8 favorable votes and 2 abstentions. The "no" to Catalonia arrived after 12 minutes of dialectic battle that at some moments gave the impression that could end up in a fight, with the Spaniards trying to rule the meeting .
It was outrageous to see an Italian MP, Sabatino Aracu, shouting at the Catalan lawyer and phisically blocking him from expressing his legal opinion.
It was the culmination of the authentic holdup that has been both days lived in Fresno and the clear demonstration that there have been many political pressures to prevent the admission of Catalunya was accepted.

FIRS annual Congress: minute by minute updates (LIVE)

2004-11-26T18:12:00.000Z

18 15 GMT
The different delegates of the FIRS have started entering the hall where the FIRS Congress will take place.
Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan federation, has confirmed that the Spanish government has interfered with the voting and have pressured many governments and federations.

18 20 GMT
The actual president of the FIRS, Isidro Oliveras will open the annual congress. After his speech he is expected to present his resignation.

18 25 GMT
We must remember that the FIRS Executive Committee has accepted an appeal against the decision taken yesterday.
Therefore, if only one federation asks for a voting to ratify the decision taking by the committee the congress will have to vote. Then if 51% of the votes are against the decision of the Executive Committee, Catalonia will have to be included in the list of federations provisionally admitted and will have another chance to become a full member of the FIRS.

18 27 GMT
The different members of the FIRS are starting to take a seat in the hall. The Congress will begin in a few minutes.

18 57 GMT
The Congress hasn't started yet. There is a delay of one hour due to unknown reasons.

19 15 GMT
The president of the FIRS has started his speech.
Oliveras who was supposed to present his resignation at the beginning of this meeting hasn't done so yet.
Oliveras has explained the decision taken by the Executive Committe. He has said that his absence from the voting yesterday was to allow the other members to vote without any pressure since he had previously expressed his favorable opinion to the recognition of Catalonia.
Oliveras has congratulated the Spanish federation and their representatives.

19 32 GMT
Oliveras has asked for a few minutes to explain his beliefs. Now he is talking about ethical decisions and assumption of political responsibilities. For these reasons he presents his unconditional resignation. He believes that he must present his resignation since it is clear that the Committe doesn't share his ideas and consequently it wouldn't be right to carry on presiding the FIRS.
He has presented Ernesto Gonzalez Molina as the new provisional president of the FIRS.

20 06 GMT
Oliveras has stated that the appeal presented by the Catalans will be seen in item 12 of the meeting. He has explained that if the appeal is accepted the Congress will have to vote. Oliveras has also stated that the representatives of the Catalan and Spanish federation might have the chance to speak and express their arguments.
Oliveras has also explained that the FIRS has to be cautious with the way this issue is handed since if the FIRS constitution is broken the issue could be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and that could have awful consequences for the FIRS.

20 15 GMT
The provisional president of the FIRS Ernesto Gonzalez Molina has taken over Isidro Oliveras and he is going through the different items of the meeting.
As the Catalan appeal is item 10 we will be back in due time.

21 00 GMT
It appears that in 2 or 3 hours, Jean Louis Dupont, the lawyer representing the Catalan federation will speak to the FIRS congress to explain that the decision taken by the Executive Committee is not legal and therefore the Congress should reverse the decision taken yesterday. If the Congress decide not to reverse that decision, Dupont will express the desire of the Catalan federation to take the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

21 17 GMT
The Congress has aproved the admission of a set of federations in which Catalonia is not included.
Afterwards, the item 12 will be raised and the president will ask whether any federation wants the voting to be secret.

21 22 GMT
Mexico has asked for the voting to be secret. The president of the Spanish federation is protesting against this decision. There is a big argument between the Spanish representative and the FIRS. The president of the Spanish federation wants to vote the ratification of the decision the Executive Committe whether the Congress wants to vote the provisional admission of each country one at each time.

21 30 GMT
Chaos at the Congress!
The Spanish federation is demanding not to vote but there is an appeal from the Catalan federation and therefore it has to be ratified or rejected by the members of the Congress in secret voting.
The spanish representatives are not allowing the Catalan lawyer to speak in the Congress. Jean Louis Dupont wants to explain the Congress that the voting has to be secret if two federations ask for this. The Catalan federation should be allowed to speak since they have filed an appeal that has been accepted.
The Spanish lawyer has just told the Catalan lawyer to get out of the Congress since he has not spanish nationality (?)
The situation is now very tense.

21 45 GMT
The Congress has voted against the admission of Gibraltar. The voting has not been secret.
The Congress has voted against the admission of Catalonia. The voting has not been secret. The Spanish federations has applauded the decision. The Congress has not allowed the Catalan representatives to defence their arguments.

22 00 GMT
The Catalan federation has abandoned the FIRS congress and are getting ready to talk to the press in brief.
Meantime, Oliveras de la Riva thinks that after this decision the Catalan teams, 12 out of 14 in the Spanish league, might decide to creat their own European league.
This would mean the end of the Spanish federations. We must remember that 98% of the roller hockey players in the Spanish league are Catalans.

22 30 GMT
In press conference the Catalan representatives together with the former president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva, have criticised the manners in which the voting has taken place.
The Congress asked its members to vote whether they disagreed with the decision taken by the Committee, since the vote was not secret the implications of this were highlighted by the Catalans.
Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan federation, has accused the members of the Spanish federation of being racist towards the Catalans.
Isidro Oliveras, former president of the FIRS has explained that because he is no longer the president of the FIRS he is now free to fully speak his mind.
First he has apologised for the behaviour and the way the Congress has been ruled. Oliveras has stated that the FIRS constitution has been infringed in many ways.
In addition he has offered his services and help to the Catalan federation and has congratulated the Catalan federation for the way they have dealt with the controversy at all time.
Jean Louis Dupont, the lawyer of the Catalan federation has explained that he was told by the Spanish representatives that he could not speak and defence the Catalan arguments since he was not Spanish.
Dupont has read a letter in which the Spanish government confirmed that the federations were private institutions and therefore the government couldn't interfere in any way with any decision taken on this matter. Dupont has affirmed that despite that letter they have proof of pressures made by the Spanish government to different federations.

Listen to it live at RAC1:
http://www.rac1.net/ramrac1.htm

Kathie Frie's (skatelog.com) report from Fresno

2004-11-26T18:10:00.000Z

The Executive Committee of the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) reversed their provisional recognition of the Catalonian Roller Sports Federation on November 25, 2004 and the president of FIRS is expected to present his resignation on November 26, 2004 at the FIRS Congress in Fresno, California.

A grave President Oliveras speaking to the international press on November 25, 2004, after the FIRS Executive Committee reversed their provisional recognition of the Catalonian Federation, a decision he believes will negatively affect the future of the sport of traditional roller hockey.

On November 25, 2004, the Executive Committee of the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) reversed the provisional recognition they granted to the Catalonian Roller Sports Federation at the March 2004 FIRS Congress in Miami, Florida.
That decision was made after the Executive Committee considered a protest filed by the Spanish Federation. The Spanish Federation disagreed with the recognition of the Catalonian Federation because Catalonia is a region within Spain.
President Oliveras announced the decision at a November 25, 2004 press conference in Fresno, California, and after he spoke, both the Spanish and Catalonian Federations made formal statements to the press.
I was present at the press conference, but I must be careful about what I report because the press conference was in Spanish, and my understanding of the Spanish language is limited. The information I am reporting here came from press conference attendees on both sides of the situation who were kind enough to try and keep me informed about what was being said.
Here is my understanding of the current situation, based on my discussions with journalists at the press conference:
-The March 2004 FIRS decision to provisionally recognize Catalonia was reversed by the FIRS Executive Committee after a protest filed by the Spanish Federation was considered.

-Isidro Oliveras, the president of FIRS announced that he will present his resignation at the FIRS Annual Congress on November 26, 2004. President Oliveras does not believe the Catalonia recognition should have been reversed, and he believes the admission of the Catalonian Federation would have helped to revive the dying sport of traditional roller hockey.

-The Catalonian Federation plans to present an appeal at the FIRS Congress on November 26, 2004, asking the Congress to overturn the decision made by the Executive Committee on November 25, and reinstate the provisional recognition of Catalonia.

Excellent report Kathie!

Link and pictures:
http://www.skatelog.com/organizations/firs/2004-11-25-fresno-congress.htm

The Colombian member of the FIRS admits political pressure

2004-11-26T18:00:00.000Z

The Colombian member of the Executive Committee of the FIRS, Carlos Orlando Ferreira has confirmed that he has received pressure from the Colombian government to change his vote. It must be remembered that Ferreira was one of the members that voted for the provisional recognition of Catalonia last March in Miami.
Ferreira has stated that: "the governments of South America have contacted the different federations to ask them to vote agaisnt the recognition of Catalonia. I was asked by my government to vote against Catalonia, I believe that some agreements have been signed between Spain and Colombia."

Apparently after further instigations by the Spanish goevernment, Ferreira will be asked to resign after his comments. His resignation will take place next week.

The Catalan people will demonstrate this evening

2004-11-26T16:38:00.000Z

A demonstration against the decision of the FIRS Executive Committe has been spontaneously organised in Barcelona.
All the Catalan political parties, except the Partido Popular (a right-wing spanish nationalist party), unions and other civil organisations have confirmed their support to the demonstration that will start at 19 00 in front of the Delegation of the Spanish government in Barcelona (next to the Estacio de Franca railstation).

If you live in Catalonia, GO OUT AND DEMONSTRATE!!!!!!!!!!

Court of Arbritation for Sport

2004-11-26T13:06:00.000Z

The Catalan federation, through its lawyer Jean Louis Dupont, have confirmed that in case the appeal of the Catalans is rejected, they will take the case to the Court of Arbritation for Sport in Lausanne (Switzerland).
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an institution independent of any sports organization which provides for services in order to facilitate the settlement of sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation by means of procedural rules adapted to the specific needs of the sports world.
Dupont has stated that: "the Swiss law and the CAS don't like dirty games being played against any federation. What has just been done to the Catalan federation is not on and they will have to pay for this. Catalonia followed all the rules and made their move always within the law. In the middle of a game the FIRS has just modified the rules and this is not right".

Links:
http://www.tas-cas.org/

The Spanish federation rejects the Catalan appeal

2004-11-26T11:09:00.000Z

According to the Spanish federation, the appeal presented by the Catalans would not be legal since the Catalan federation is no longer a member of the FIRS.
The argument of the Spaniards is that to be able to appeal against any decision taken by the Executive Committe you have to be a member of the FIRS and since the provisional admission of the Catalan federation was invalidated yesterday, the Catalans would not have the right to appeal.

The Catalan appeal

2004-11-26T10:57:00.000Z

The General Secretary of the FIRS has accepted an appeal from the Catalan federation against the decision taken by the Executive Committee.
According to Jean Louis Dupont, the Catalan federation lawyer, there has been infringements of the law, such as denying the right to defense and breaching the FIRS statutes.
Dupont believes that only the General Assembly of the FIRS has the right to admit or expel any new members.
Although the General Secretary of the FIRS, the Italian Roberto Marotta hasn't been very receptive at the beginning, he has finally admitted the appeal and therefore the case will be discussed again in the General Assembly that will begin this afternoon GMT.

It's not all over yet!

2004-11-26T07:34:00.000Z

After the disappointing defeat yesterday the Catalan delegates have still got a little hope.
The Catalan lawyers Jean Louis Dupont and have been working since yesterday in an appeal that will be presented in the FIRS annual congress later today.
The FIRS congress can overrule any decision taking by the Executive Commitee and there is where the Catalans base their hopes in.
If only one federation asks for a voting to ratify the decision taking by the committee the congress will have to vote. Then if 51% of the votes are against the decision of the Executive Committee, Catalonia will have to be included in the list of federations provisionally admitted and will have another chance to become a full member.
It is likely that at least one federation asks for this voting (maybe Andorra), but it seems very difficult to get the 51% of the votes in the later voting.

Again let's wait and see...

Minute by minute updates

2004-11-25T22:55:00.001Z

22:58 GMT
The FIRS Executive Committee is in a meeting at this moment. The Spanish federation has presented a document or a letter and for this reason the president of the FIRS, Isidro Oliveras is having a one-to-one meeting with the president of the Spanish federation, Garcia Raposo.

23:03 GMT
Apparently, the Spanish and the Catalan federation will not present their arguments in front of the Executive Committee.
The Spanish federation complained about one of the representatives that was going to defend the Catalan federation, Mr Dupont.

23:06 GMT
The Executive Committee of the FIRS has decided that they know everything they have to know about the issue and therefore they will take a decision based on the information that they already have.

23:10 GMT
The president of the Catalan Federation, Ramon Basiana thinks that the Executive Committee will decide against the appeal of the Spanish federation and therefore the final decision will be made at the annual meeting of the FIRS that will take place tomorrow.

23:19 GMT
Oliveras, Basiana and Jean-Louis Dupont are having a meeting at this moment.

23:21 GMT
Rumours are that the Executive Committee has voted and the results are negative for Catalonia. 6-3 or 5-4 for the appeal of the Spanish federation.

23:23 GMT
The Italian representatives have stated that they have accepted the Spanish appeal by 6 votes to 3.

23:26 GMT
Other rumours are that there has not been a voting yet.

23:31 GMT
Jean Louis Dupont is the lawyer that changed the world of sport with the "Bosman Law". He is acting as delegate of the Catalan Federation

23:34 GMT
The document presented by the Catalan Federation was based in the law of sport and prepared by Jean Louis Dupont. According to that document, the Spanish appeal wouldn't be valid as the admission of the Catalan federation was only provisional. There could only be an appeal against a permanent decision.

23:37 GMT
The Italian representative has stated that ther will not be a voting in the meeting tomorrow.
Garcia Raposo has been seen congratulating the Colombian member of the Executive Committee.
It looks like Spain has won the appeal.

23:40 GMT
The president of the FIRS is still in a meeting with the president of the Catalan federation and with Jean Louis Dupont.

23:45 GMT
Apparently the Colombian member of the Committee has settled the draw. Previous information indicated that the Colombian representative was going to vote against the Spanish appeal.
The Australian member has also voted against the Catalans.

23:50 GMT
The Colombian member after huggin the Spanish president has been seen saying : "whatever you need from us..."

23:52 GMT
It looks like the Executive Committee voted whithout the knowledge of the President of the F FIRS, Isidro Oliveras.

23:57 GMT
Ramon Basiana says that they are waiting for an official communication from the FIRS.

00:02 GMT
It appears that the decision of the Executive Committee has been to invalidate the decision taken last March in Miami in which the FIRS provisionally admited the Catalan Federation. This is the reason why they haven't even heard the arguments of both federations.

00:07 GMT
We can confirm that the voting has taken place without the knowledge of the president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva.
The argument now is whether this is legal or not according to the FIRS statutes.

00:19 GMT
Jean Louis Dupont is in conversations with the Spanish federation lawyer.
The Executive Committee is still reunited.

00:24 GMT
The Catalan Secretary of Sport, Rafel Niubo, has stated that they are still unaware of the official decision.
He has confirmed that they will present an appeal at the FIRS annual meeting that will take place tomorrow.
The Catalan federation might be considering filling an appeal against this decision.

00:45 GMT
It looks like there has been a rebellion against the president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva, and the members have decided to invalidate the provisional admission of Catalonia that took place last March in Miami.
It is known by everyone that the Italian member, Sabatino Aracu, has personal disagreements with Oliveras de la Riva and wants to be the new president of the FIRS.
We still haven't got an official confirmation.

00:53 GMT
The president of the Spanish federation Garcia Raposo and the president of the Catalan Ramon Basiana, have just entered the room where the FIRS Executive Committee is reunited.
The members of the Spanish federation are celebrating the decision although they say that they will wait until the president of the FIRS makes official the results.

00:58 GMT
The president of the Catalan federation, Ramon Basiana has explained that the Executive Committee of the FIRS has decided to invalidate the provisional admission of the Catalan federation.
The Executive Committee has not even considered the appeal from the Spanish federation nor the arguments from the Catalans.

01:02 GMT
The president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva, in press conference has confirmed that the Committee has decided to invalidate the provisional admission of the FIRS that was presented in Miami last March,
Some members who had voted for the admission of Catalonia, had demanded a revision of that decision and after that revision and the following discussion, the Executive Committee of the FIRS had decided to invalidate such decision.
Oliveras has confirmed that the Gibraltar federation request has also been rejected.
Finally, Oliveras has made public his resignation that he will present in the FIRS annual meeting tomorrow.
He still believes though, that the sport of roller hockey is dying and that the admission of the Catalan federation would have been a great boost for the recovery of the roller hockey.

Spain also opposes the recognition of Gibraltar

2004-11-25T07:34:00.000Z

It seems that the Spaniards haven’t got enough in their plate with the problem of the Catalan Federation as now they have decided to oppose the admission of the Gibraltar federation.
Gibraltar, a British colony, has a total of 12 federations recognised internationally, although Bermuda is the British colony with more federations, a total of 31.

We must remember that Spain also opposed the admission of Gibraltar into the FIFA by threating to withdraw all the spanish teams for every FIFA competition.

I thought the Spanish inquisition was dead and buried!!!

President of the Catalan Federation remains optimist

2004-11-25T07:32:00.000Z

The president of the Catalan Federation, Ramon Basiana, has expressed his optimism about the recognition of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS: “We will have to see whether the different countries have been honest or just have said yes to both federations (the Catalan and the Spanish)
Basiana, who is in Fresno since last Sunday, thinks that: “It is this optimism and hopes what has brought us here”. According to Basiana, the provisional admission of Catalonia last March, was taken within the legality of the FIRS and therefore there shouldn’t be any reason why the Spanish appeal should be filed.
Surprisingly Basiana believes that the recognition of Catalonia would also be beneficial for Spain since: “there would be more sportsmen and resources that would eventually represent the Spanish kingdom, some with the Spanish federation and some with the Catalan federation. I know it might be hard to understand from a political point of view, but this shouldn’t be a political issue but a sportive one.”

In addition, Basiana has criticised the Spanish Olympic Committee COE, for their decision of starting a disciplinary action against the president of the FIRS, Oliveras de la Riva: “instead of trying to start a dialog between both sides the COE have decided to discipline a man who has done loads for the world of roller sport in the past years. It does not surprise me though, since they also started a disciplinary on me just for expressing my opinions”
Basiana believes that a possible game Spain v Catalonia would hugely benefit the world of roller hockey as it would be comparable to other big rivalry games such as England v Scotland or Barca v Madrid.

Finally, thinks that it would be a real shame if Oliveras resigns as result of the no admission of Catalonia as he has been a real asset for the world of roller sports and has made enormous steps in its final recognition as an Olympic discipline.

Source: Europa Press

Catalonia is a World Champion!

2004-11-25T07:01:00.000Z

2004 World Roller Figure Skating Championships Freedom Makes Catalonia a World Champion
The first place trophy in the show skating competition at the 2004 Roller Figure Skating World Championships was a show team from an artistic roller skating team in the town of Olot in the Catalonian region of Spain.

The theme of the world championship performance was "Freedom" and for those in the audience who were familiar with the FIRS/Catalonia situation the performance of these skaters from Olot felt like a gut-wrenching, heartfelt, last minute plea to the international skating community to allow the Catalonian Roller Sports Federation to be confirmed as a member of the International Roller Sports Federation. That decision will be made at the 2004 FIRS Congress in Fresno on November 26, 2004.

What else do they need to realise what Catalonia wants?

Reported by Kathie Fry in Fresno.

Link and picture:
http://www.skatelog.com/worlds/artistic/2004/freedom.htm

The Catalan Federation sets off to Fresno

2004-11-23T17:11:00.000Z

The representatives of the Catalan Federation of Roller Sports have departed this morning to Fresno (California), where next Thursday and Friday the FIRS will decide whether or not to admit this federation as a full member.
The Executive Committee meeting will begin at 09 00 (local time), midnight (Paris time).
In this meeting the appeal from the Spanish federation will be discussed and the representatives of the Spanish Federation, Enrique Garcia Raposo, will present his arguments at 14 30 for fifteen minutes. After this, Ramon Basiana, president of the Catalan Federation will expose his arguments for fifteen minutes as well.
Finally, the Executive Committee, which will not have his Japanese member Yoshiro Noguchi due to illness, will deliberate and make a final decision.

Three scenarios are possible:
1st The Spanish appeal wins: In that case, Oliveras will present his unconditional resignation.
2nd The Spanish appeal is not accepted: The General Assembly on Friday will have to vote whether or not to recognise Catalonia.
3rd A draw: In that case, Oliveras will have to settle that draw. Oliveras will vote agaisnt the Spanish appeal.

The FIRS General Assembly on Friday will also start at 9 00 (local time).
The arguments for and against the admission of Catalonia will be exposed to all the FIRS members.
Then the admission of another set of federations ( Bulgaria, Georgia, Honduras, Iran, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Romania, Bosnia, Turkey, Gibraltar and Paraguay) will be voted as a whole, however, the case of Catalonia, Canada and Costa Rica will be voted individually.
If 2 federations ask for the voting to be secret it will be so.
Around 16 00 (local time), the Assembly will have decided if Catalonia is finally recognised as a full member. If this does not happen, Oliveras will present his unconditional resignation...

... and the Catalan dream will remain as that, just a beautiful dream!

Further information:
http://www.esportcatala.com/news.sdf/news?id=63894&ref=1

Countdown to Fresno 2004

2004-11-22T17:31:00.000Z

This is the key week. The Catalan sport enter this decisive week, probably their most important in history, with their hopes that the Catalan skating federation will be recognised as a full member of the FIRS later this week.
Prior to this, on Thursday, the FIRS will have to discuss an appeal made by the Spanish Federation against the provisional admission of the Catalans that was granted last March in the FIRS meeting in Miami.
There are 12 members in the FIRS Executive Committee who will decide whether to accept or not the Spanish appeal on Thursday 25th.
The members of the FIRS Executive Committee are:
President: Isidro Oliveras de la Riva (ESP)
1st Vice-president: Ernesto Gonzalez Molina (ARG)
General Secretary/Artistisc: Roberto Marotta (ITA)
Speed: James Pollard (USA)
Inline hockey: George Pickard (USA)
Hockey: Harro Strucksberg (GER)
Europe: Sabatino Aracu (ITA)
Asia: Yoshiro Noguchi (JPN)
America: Carlos Orlando Ferreira (COL)
Australasia: Valerie Leftwitch (AUS)
Africa: Dr. Nabih el Alkamy (EGY)

All these members, with the exception of Sabatino Aracu, Yoshiro Noguchi and Dr. Nabih el Alkamy, were present in the last committee in which Catalonia was provisionally admitted to the FIRS.
As the conditions in which Catalonia was admitted have remained the same in the past 8 months, there shouldn't be any powerful reason why the Spanish appeal would be accepted.
However, Sabatino Aracu, who has expressed his interest in becoming the next president of the FIRS, has publicly critised Oliveras over the way that decision was taken and has also admitted that he is against the recognition of Catalonia. Aracu is a member of the Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, and he is expected to lead the vote against Catalonia.
Oliveras will only vote in case of a draw.

If the decision is not to accept the appeal then the final step will take place on Friday 26th at the FIRS Annual meeting.
34 countries have confirmed their attendance. The countries will have as many votes as roller sport disciplines recognised in those countries.
Confirmed countries (in brackets no of votes):
Australia (5), Colombia (5), Spain (5), USA (5), France (5), Italy (5), Japan (5), Mexico (5), UK (5), Switzerland (5), Germany (4), Argentina (4), Brazil (4), Canada (4), Chile (4), China (4), Holland (4), India (4), Portugal (4), New Zealand (4), Taiwan (4), Belgium (3), Croatia (3), Cuba (3), Denmark (3), Ecuador (3), Slovenia (3), Dominican Republic (3), Andorra (3), Angola (3), Nigeria (2), Panama (2), Paraguay (2) and Peru (2).

The voting will be secret if this is asked by 10% of the votes, which means that there are only 2 countries needed to ask for this for the voting to be secret.
A secret vote will mean that each represented will be able to vote without any pressure since no one will ever know who voted what. This is seen as an important advantage by the Catalans.
However the pressures from the Spanish government through the Spanish Council for Sport CSD, has been strong over the past weeks.
It seems that strong European countries such as Italy, Portugal or France will have agreed with the Spaniards to vote against the Catalans. The secretary of the CSD, Rafael Blanco, recently travelled around South America to convince some south American countries to vote against Catalonia. On the 8th of November, Spain and Argentina agreed to sign a cooperation agreement for the year 2005.
These countries, apart from the arguments exposed by the Spaniards, will see Catalonia as a threat to their dominance in roller hockey.
On the other hand, the Catalans seem to have the support of small south American and African countries on top of Andorra.
Although not many countries have expressed their preferences, some believe that the recognition of Catalonia would benefit a sport that is dying everywhere but in Catalonia where every week twice as many games are played as they are played anywhere else in the world.

The final decision....in 5 days!!!

Triumphant Catalans in Fresno

2004-11-21T23:06:00.000Z

The Catalan expedition, who are in Fresno representing the Spanish federation in order to avoid controversy and not jeopardise the possibilities of Catalonia's recognition, are having a great performance so far.
The team from Olot with the performance titled "Freedom" has won the Show Skating World Championships.
Alba Perez has won the Junior Free Skating (short and long) competition and finished second in the combined event.
Manel Perez finished fourth, second and second in the Junior figures, free skating and combined respectively, whereas Carles Gasset finished third in free skating.

Congratulations!!

Full results:
http://www.rollersportscipa.com/worlds_2004results.html

More information:
http://www.skatelog.com/worlds/artistic/2004/freedom.htm

Inside my mind...

2004-11-18T23:28:00.000Z

With only 7 days to the FIRS meeting, I think it'd be a good time to express how are you feeling. What do you think is going to happen? What would you like to happen?
Please email me or post any comments and I will link them to this "Inside my mind" post.
Thank you

1. Marc, a hockey lover:
http://catalanhockey.blogspot.com/2004/09/marc-hockey-lover.html

2. Anonymous

http://catalanhockey.blogspot.com/2004/09/in-my-mind.html

Full interview with Isidro Oliveras, president of the FIRS

2004-11-18T16:44:00.000Z

Oliveras: Catalonia v Spain, why not?
The most powerful man in roller skating says that Catalonia has met all the requirements in order to become a full member of the FIRS. Although Oliveras is in the line of fire, he seems to be managing the situation very well.
Oliveras is aware of the importance of this and is trying to avoid the various political pressures. He is convinced that the roller sport will benefit hugely from the incorporation of Catalonia.
For this reason, he explained to all the members of the FIRS committee what his position was in this issue and now he is receiving the criticism of the Spanish nationalism and the Spanish Olympic Committee has started a disciplinary action against him.

What is your reaction to the disciplinary action started by the COE?
I think it is normal. The COE is a private body and has the right to start any disciplinary action. Is it fair? I do not know. I have no criteria, it is their decision and I respect it.

What has changed since the provisional recognition of Catalonia last March?
Nothing substantial has changed. The conditions remain the same and Catalonia was admitted because they had met all the requirements of the FIRS.
The only thing that has changed is the media and the political interest. I think that this is a good thing if it means talking more about our sport.

Is your opinion still the same?
Indeed.

What was the purpose of the letter you sent to the members of the FIRS Executive Committee ?
I wanted them to know my ideas with regards to this issue, and I sent that letter 12 days before so they would have enough time to analyse the situation.
As a president, it is my duty to explain to my colleagues what I think.
I am sure that Joan Laporta (FC Barcelona president) would give his opinion on whether Barca has to sign Ronaldinho or not. Then the other vice-presidents can say whether they agree or not.
I am not a judge that has to be neutral. The fact the Spanish press got hold of that letter can be considered an act of disloyalty by someone in my committee.

Have you received any pressures during the last week?
None.

Will you vote during the Executive Commission in which the appeal of the Spanish federation will be considered?
No, the vote of the president will only be used to settle a possible draw.

What do you think it will happen in that Executive Commission meeting?
I have no idea. We will let everyone expose their ideas, but I have to emphasise that things haven’t changed since last March when Catalonia was provisionally admitted to the the FIRS.
It would be a contradiction to change our mind now.

Is this the most important issue you have had to face since you became president of the FIRS?Definitely not. Maybe the one with the most media interest, but in my many years as a president I have dealt with more important issues.

You talk about being president for so many years, are you considering announcing your resignation?
Clearly, if my colleagues don’t support my ideas, it will not be possible for me to continue as president. My continuity is linked to the final decision on the Catalan issue.

Why do you think it is good for the FIRS that Catalonia becomes a full member?
Because they meet all the requirements and because it is always good to add up, especially when we talk about a first class country in roller hockey where more than 400 games are played every weekend. The roller hockey sport is dying because from 43 national teams that played the last world cup we only have 30 now.
The survival of roller hockey might depend on the recognition of Catalonia and that is why I support 100% the admission of Catalonia as full member.

Do you understand the position of the president of the Spanish federation Enrique Garcia Raposo?
Totally, he defends his position and although I understand it, I don’t share his opinion.

Can you see a Catalonia v Spain?Why not?
I can’t see a reason why that game couldn’t be played.
The Spanish government say that the law doesn’t allow it, but the FIRS is a private body, that has its own regulations and the Catalan federation is within those regulations.
We cannot rule ourselves by the rules of all the different countries. Besides, the laws change over time and I can’t see a reason why this law could not be changed.

How is your relation with the Spanish Sport Council (CSD)?
Excellent. Jaime Lissavetzki, Rafael Blanco and Manolo Fonseca, are all very dialogant people. I have no problems with them.

It wasn’t like that with the previous Spanish Sport Council, was it?
The problem was not with the CSD. There was no dialog with the Secretary, Juan Antonio Gómez-Angulo.
He called me “bad Spaniard” and “miserable” but that is part of the past.

Source:
http://www.diariosport.com

FIRS president’s response to disciplinary action

2004-11-18T01:08:00.000Z

Isidro Oliveras, president of the FIRS, has admitted that he is “not concerned nor surprised” about the disciplinary action against him, started by the Spanish Olympic Committee COE, because he believes that his actual situation is not the most important issue at present

Oliveras adds that he has taken the decision very well and thinks that the COE has the right to take their own decisions if these are legitimate.
Finally, Oliveras states that he has no idea whether this will be the previous step before his final expulsion as a member of the COE and confirms that he will present his resignation if Catalonia is not admitted as a full member of the FIRS.

Whatever the final resolution of the FIRS is, the Catalan people should be more than grateful to this man, who has showed honesty and integrity in these difficult moments.

The Catalan Parliament demands respect for the decisions of the FIRS

2004-11-17T23:16:00.000Z

The Catalan Parliament has approved a resolution in which they demand to the Spanish government "respect" for the decisions that the FIRS may take in their annual meeting to be held in Fresno on the 26th of November.
The resolution also demands respect for all those sport women and men who express their wish to represent Catalonia instead of Spain.

Further information:
http://www.esportcatala.com/news.sdf/news?id=63321

FIRS president faces disciplinary action by the Spanish Olympic Committee

2004-11-17T17:25:00.000Z

The Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) has decided to start disciplinary action against Isidro Oliveras, president of the FIRS, for his statement supporting the recognition of the Catalan Federation of Roller Sports.
The COE have decided that Oliveras' beliefs constitute a "serious disciplinary infraction".
In order to start the proceedings against Oliveras, the Executive Committee of the COE has named as instructor, Marco Antonio Rioja, president of the COE's Legal Commission, and the secretary to be Julio González Ronco, secretary of the COE'S Legal Commission.

See my post on Wednesday 10th of November, for Oliveras' statement about the admission of Catalonia.

It didn't take long for the criticisms to begin!
Note that Oliveras has been disciplined "only" for being brave and honest and make his beliefs public.
In my opinion they should be ashamed of themselves.

2004 World Roller Figure Skating Championships

2004-11-15T14:23:00.000Z

The members of the Figure Skating Club of Olot have set off to Fresno (USA) to participate in the 2004 World Roller Figure Skating Championships which will take place from the 17th until the 19th of November.
The Catalan team are double European Champions and gained the bronze medal in the last world cup in Argentina and are also clear favourites in this tournament.
Even though Catalonia is a provisional member of the FIRS and the team could have represented the Catalan Roller Skating Federation, in order to avoid any controversy just a few days before the FIRS annual meeting, they accepted to represent Spain and the Spanish federation. However, all the costs are funded by the Catalan federation and no funded has been granted from the Spanish federation.
Another team of the catalan city of Reus will also be present in this World Championship.

Full list of participants:

Individuals
Monica Gimeno (Junior Women's Figures, Free Skating and Combined)
Alba Perez (Junior Women's Figures, Free Skating and Combined)
Manel Perez (Junior Men's Figures, Free Skating and Combined)
Carles Gasset (Junior Men's Free Skating)
Albert Trilla (Senior Men's Figures, Free Skating and Combined)
Laura Sanchez (Senior Women's Free Skating)
Tamara Valderrama (Senior Women's Free Skating)

Show Group
C.P.A Olot "Freedom"
Anna ANGLADA, Mireia BONFILL, Ada CASAS, Susanna CONDE, Ester FABREGA, Mireia GARCIA, Gemma JOU, Carla JUVANTENY, Imma JUVANTENY, Marta JUVANTENY, Elisabeth MANEL, Olga MARTI, Laura MIR, Coral MOISET, Laura PUIGDEMONT, Anna QUINTANA, Laura RUIZ, Sandra SALA, Anna TORRENT, Anna TRIFON, Maria VALENCIA, Anna VILA, Marta VILA,
Manager: Miquel CASAS
Coach: Ricard PLANIOL, Manel JUVANTENY
Choreographer: Lourdes RIGAT

C.P Reus "Phenomenon Gaudi"

Nuria AMOROS, Sandra ANDREU, Elisabet BALLESTE, Carlota BORRAS, Laia BORREGAN, Laia CAPDEVILA, Neus FERRE, Ester FERRER, Montserrat FORNOS, Lourdes HERMOSELL, Nuria LOPEZ, Laura LOPEZ, Laura MORLA, Gemma PAGES, Aida PAMIES, Iban PAMIES, Ruben PENA, Marta PROS, Laura RODRIGUEZ, Judith ROIG, Manel VILLARROYA,

Manager: Miguel BORREGAN

Coach: Judith BELTRAN

Choreographer: Cristina ANCIOLA

From here we wish them all the luck on this major championship!!!

Further information:
http://www.rollersportscipa.com/
http://www.skatelog.com/worlds/artistic/2004/

Past article from The Guardian (UK)

2004-11-14T09:57:00.000Z

I thought I would write a summary of an old article that appeared in The Guardian last March when Catalonia was first recognised for the FIRS.
It is 8 months old but still relevant for a few reasons: it is the only article that has appeared in the British press until now, and it is interesting to note the relaxed tone and easy approach to the issue and also the comparison that is made between Catalonia and Scotland and Wales.

Catalonia gets its skates on
Giles Tremlett in Madrid
Wednesday March 31, 2004
The Guardian
Catalonia has won a small victory in its historic battle for recognition as a national entity separate from Spain.
A decision by the International Roller Skating Federation to allow a Catalan national team into the qualifying rounds of the roller-hockey world cup this summer has been greeted with jubilation by many Catalans. It introduces a new national anthem and a new flag to international sport.
But it has provoked an angry response from Spain's outgoing conservative government of José María Aznar, a fierce opponent of further autonomy for the eastern region. The government has said it will block the move as the thin end of the wedge for Spanish national teams in all sports as well as a threat to a unified Spain.
The decision has to be ratified in November, but Catalan teams are expected to play in the meantime.
Leaders of Catalonia's semi-autonomous government said that roller skating had opened the door to world recognition that their country, like Scotland or Wales, could be treated, on the sports field at least, as a nation in its own right.
Ever since the 15th century Catalonia has resisted incorporation into the Spanish state and its language and culture; under Franco, use of the Catalan language was banned in public.

Remarkable neutral approach to the controversy.

Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1182466,00.html

The controversy extends all over the world

2004-11-13T10:45:00.000Z

The polemic about the recognition of Catalonia has gone far beyond the spanish borders.
From Argentina the webmaster of PatinCarrera.com Guido Ferraiuolo, has made statements on many public message boards in October of 2004 stating that if the Catalonian Roller Sports Federation is recognized by the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will not allow any roller sport to admitted into the Olympic Games.
Ferraiuolo in some of his statements compares Catalonia to California and states that : "a negative consequence to recognize Catalonia (a region of Spain) is that speed skating is not an Olympic Sport. The Olympic Committee has already told that our sport will not be admitted in the case of the International Federation would recognize a region of a country as a member."
Ferraiuolo adds: "Obviously, we will need to be helped by Mr. Roberto Marotta, President of CIC and General Secretary of FIRS. As we know, we are not the only new sport that wants to cross the line and finally be in the Olympic family. The other members of the CIC, the President of the National Federation and all the Associations in Fresno should work in the same way to obtain what we are working for and to turn on the dream of thousands or skaters worldwide."
However Ferraiuolo has not given the source of his information nor which member of the IOC said that the admission of Catalonia would have a negative impact in the recognition of any roller sport for the Olympic games.

On the other hand, Kathie Fry one of the most prestigious web editors of inline skating (www.skatelog.com) , roller skating editor for the Open Directory project and contributor writer to Fitness and Speed Skating Times Magazine and USA Roller Sports Magazine , voices out her doubts about Ferraiuolo statements.
Kathie Fry suggests that Isidro Oliveras, the president of FIRS and many other FIRS officers and committee members have close ties with the International Olympic Committee, including the president of the IOC and therefore they know better than anyone else what the IOC's opinion is about FIRS recognizing Catalonia as a separate federation with its own team.
Fry does not believe FIRS would prevent roller sports from getting into the Olympics just so Catalonia can have its own roller hockey team. Furthermore, she gives two important reasons, the first one being that it would be very difficult for the FIRS to explain to the public opinion that roller sports would not become Olympic so Catalonia can be recognised, and the second one being purely financial, since the FIRS will significantly get an increase in funding if any roller sport becomes an official Olympic event.

Looks like the diplomatic relations between Spain and Argentina have worked very well so far...

Further information:
http://www.skatelog.com/olympics/roller-sports-2004-10-28.htm
http://www.patincarrera.com/noticias/2004/octubre-27_ioc-eng.html

Oliveras will resign if Catalonia is not admitted

2004-11-13T09:15:00.000Z

Speaking on Catalunya Radio, the president of the FIRS has declared that he will present his resignation if Catalonia is not admitted as a full member of the FIRS.
Oliveras considers that a negative vote against the recognition of Catalonia would imply a lack of confidence and trust in the FIRS Central Committee who provisionally admitted Catalonia last March.
In addition, Oliveras believes that the inclusion of Catalonia as full member would be an important step for the FIRS since "roller hockey is dying internationally, whereas in Catalonia it is a growing sport with over 400 hockey games played every weekend for only 130 played anywhere else in the world".

Oliveras is definitely making a move forward here. It is nice to see someone who is willing to take risks for his own principles. Thank you!

Macau's point of view

2004-11-12T01:08:00.000Z

According to Pontofinalmacau.com, first Macau's online newspaper, despite the popular pressure in Spain and the last statement of the Spanish Prime minister Jose Luis Zapatero in which he affirmed that Catalonia would not play the next World Cup, there is no guarantee that the politic and nationalistic criterion of the Spaniards will finally succeed in Fresno.
Pontofinalmacau.com points out that regardless of the political connotations that this issue has, the final decision will be made by a private organisation (FIRS) and will be a sportive one.

Even Macau, that will play the World Cup instead of Catalonia if this is not recognised , has noticed the dirty politics that are being used by the Spaniards.

Source:
http://www.pontofinalmacau.com/

FIRS' president defends the admission of Catalonia

2004-11-10T17:21:00.000Z

Isidro Oliveras, president of the FIRS, has sent an email to all the members of the Central Commitee and to the Commitees of downhill, artistic, hockey, inline hockey and speed to explain his own position with regards the recognition of Catalonia as a full member.
With only 16 days left until the next FIRS assembly which will be held in Fresno, Mr Oliveras believes it is his duty as president to let the members of the FIRS know his opinion.
According to Europa Press, in his email Mr Oliveras explains that Catalonia has more political status than other federations such as Macau, Scotland, Wales, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Feroe Islands or Puerto Rico. These federations, Oliveras adds, are recognised by the IFAA which is one of the most important federations in sport.
Oliveras describes how Catalonia has its own Government, president, prime minister, international representation, laws, taxes, police, language and culture. In addition he states that the Catalan federation has offered to organise the 2009 roller sports world-cup in all the disciplines.
Oliveras expands on some political aspects of Catalonia like the fact that Catalonia is recognised in the Spanish Constitution as an historical nationality within the Kingdom of Spain.

Finally, Oliveras adds that he is not interested in politics but in sport and that what is good for roller sports is good for him and the admission of Catalonia, as he has stated in previous occasions, would be an important gain for the rolling sport.
Oliveras considers that it is now that he has to explain what he thinks and defends the legality of the decision to recognise the national federation of Catalonia, as it follows the laws of the FIRS.
In addition, as an example he explains that in 1992, the federation of Macao qualified for the 1992 games, but the IOC prevented them to participate because they were not a State (then it belonged to Portugal). "I defended the Federation of Macao because I thought, as I think now, that that federation was good for the world of roller sports. In spite of its political status (now a Chinese department) they are good and I will always fight for this federation".

How much criticism is Isidro Oliveras going to receive from his own beliefs?
We will just have to sit and wait...

Source: Europa Press
http://www.europapress.es/europa2003/noticia.aspx?cod=20041110172422&tabID=1&ch=73

Thanks to Marc.

Spanish Supreme Sports Council (CSD) campaigns against Catalonia

2004-11-09T17:42:00.000Z

According to Madrid based sports daily newspaper AS, the objective of the CSD is to win the voting that will take place the next 26th of November in Fresno, to avoid Catalonia being admitted as a full member of the FIRS.
"We have to act with discretion - Rafael Blanco, General director of the CSD, says. But the Spanish federation with the endorsement of the government is moving with diligence to avoid the recognition of Catalonia and therefore make sure that law is followed."

Are the Spaniards admitting they are using "dirty politics" again?

The optimism of the Spanish leader is based on the appeal that the Spanish Federation of Skating will present in the Congress of the FIRS to prevent Catalonia facing Spain in the next roller hockey World Cup.

Are these the ones proclaiming that this should only be a sportive issue and no a politics one?

link:
http://www.as.com/articulo.html?d_date=20041109&xref=20041109dasdaimas_1&type=Tes&anchor=dasmas

FIRS' president speaks again

2004-11-09T17:23:00.000Z

FIRS' president Isidro Oliveras has admitted in an interview to a Catalan newspaper that he doesn't have any regrets about having provisionaly admitted Catalonia as a member of the FIRS: "No one will ever convince me that the admission of Catalonia is not good for our sport. There is no a single country in the world that doesn't know that Catalonia is a strong power in roller skating".

APOLOGIES

2004-11-09T10:43:00.000Z

THE SITE HAS BEEN DOWN FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SERVER.
LUCKILY EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

The Italian's point of view

2004-11-06T10:09:00.000Z

Italian newspapers have been widely echoing the last polemic in Spain.
The news site tgcom.it comments about the last words of Spain's Prime minister Mr Zapatero in which he stated that there will never be a game between Spain and Catalonia.
Tgcom.it's article is very sympathetic with the Catalans : "A beautiful dream for who does not see the hour to be true, that is the participation of the Catalan side in the A World Cup. A participation that the square would not only want as political acknowledgment of an ethnic minority, but also as deservedly earned the field. In fact the Catalans, won recently the B World-Cup in Macao, achieving the right to participate in the A World-Cup"

Ilmanifesto.it opens up with Catalan's roller hockey coach, Jordi Camps' words: " the most important thing is that we have maintained our compromise towards our country". Then the victory in the B World Cup is compared to some big wins of the Catalan football team although these have always been in friendly games. Il manifesto states that with the B World Cup title in their pockets, the Catalans have earned the right to participate in the next A Wolrd-Cup and to play against Spain, since both teams have been drawn in the same group. This fact, according to Il manifesto, has set off a huge political row between Spain and Catalonia. While the Catalans are proud and enjoying their celebrating mood, the Spaniards have started another nationalistic battle to preserve the unity of Spain.

thanks to: http://catxipanda.splinder.com/

Links:

http://www.tgcom.it/sport/articoli/articolo227816.shtml

http://www.ilmanifesto.it/Quotidiano-archivio/30-Ottobre-2004/art110.html

Face to face between the president of the Catalan and Spanish federation of roller hockey

2004-11-04T19:10:00.000Z

A bitter discussion between the Spanish and the Catalan president of the roller hockey federation took place yesterday on Catalan radio.
Ramon Basiana (Catalunya) and Garcia Raposo (Spain) exposed their arguments for and against the recognition of Catalunya.
Garcia Raposo's tone was arrogant and authoritarian and his arguments were mainly based on nationalistic and politics views of Spain.

Raposo's arguments against the recognition of Catalonia:

The Spanish federation hasn't seen the official request of the admission of Catalonia
The recognition wasn't in the FIRS agenda
The FIRS members weren't told the truth
Outside Spain no one knows Catalonia, all they know is Spain
The president of the FIRS is a Catalan and that was the main reason why Catalonia was provisionally admited.

Basiana's arguments for the recognition of Catalonia:

The statute of the FIRS allows nations without state to become permanent members and therefore compete internationally
Catalonia is a strong power in roller hockey and the whole world of hockey would benefit from the admission of Catalonia
48 nations without state are represented in international federations of a wide range of sports
the Spanish law says that only the Spanish national team can represent Spain but Catalonia only wants to represent itself.
Catalonia is not against anyone. It's all about a sentiment and the freedom to represent the country that you feel you belong to.

Listen to the interview: http://www.elsesports.net/tvcmult/163848667.rm

TV audience boosts

2004-11-04T07:19:00.000Z

The last B World Cup in which Catalonia became world’s champion was a great success in terms of television audience.
All the games that Catalonia played were broadcasted live by the second Catalan television channel, “el 33”, apart from the final that was shown live by the first Catalan television channel TV3.
The average audience for the seven games was of 74 000 spectators which is a very large number for a Roller hockey game.
According to TV3, the only TV station in broadcasting hockey games in Catalonia (no Spanish TV is showing any game nor highlights at the moment), the average audience for a hockey game is about 30 000 spectators, therefore the audience during the World Cup was more than acceptable, especially if we consider that all the games were played in the morning.

Another evidence of the importance that Roller hockey has in Catalonia!

Spain's Prime minister rules out Catalonia

2004-11-03T18:58:00.000Z

The Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has ruled out the participation of Catalonia in the next World Cup in San Jose (Fresno).
Speaking to the Spanish Congress, Zapatero has ensured that Catalonia will never play against Spain because this would go against the Spanish law.

...and I wonder: has the Spanish law anything to do with a private institution like the FIRS?
Haven't they (the spaniards) been defending all time that this should be a sportive issue nor a political one?
How can the prime minister rule out something before even been voted?

CIRH's president supports Catalonia

2004-11-02T22:50:00.000Z

In an interview with the "Journal of Macao", the president of the CIRH (International Commitee of Rink Hockey) Harro Strucksberg has defended the participation of Catalonia in the A World-Cup.
Mr Strucksberg has stated that "from a sportive point of view everything is very clear. We want to admit Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS as this would give an enormous boost to our sport."
Nevertheless, Mr Strucksberg has critised the massive political pressure that the Spaniards are putting over the national federations which goes against the ambitions of the CIRH.
"I am completely for the recognition of Catalonia as they are a very strong team and due to the fact that spanish roller hockey is mainly made up of Catalans"
Strucksberg thinks however, that in the long run the final decision will be political and not sportive.

Source: Portal do diario de Macau
http://www.pontofinalmacau.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5800&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

The Catalan perspective

2004-11-02T17:08:00.000Z

The Road to Macao
The extra sporting celebration of Catalonia contrasts with the impolitic hysteria in Madrid which want to organise the 2012 Olympics with their racist attitude.
Catalonia has won the World B Roller Hockey Championship with 76 goals scored and one against, a Chinese penalty. But high flying politics are not far removed from sticks on wheels. The final was against England, the ally who betrayed Catalonia in 1713 and Perfidious Albion received 17 goals.
The Madrid bombs liar Angel Acebes bombards Pasqual Maragall for going to Macao: "He had himself photographed with independence flags and when asked whether Catalonia is Spain he answered Catalonia is Catalonia, He headed a disgraceful spectacle." PP spokesman Eduardo Zaplana finds the Catalan team "pointless. This would not happen in a serious country. Those who believe it is just a hockey game are quite wrong." Collaborator Josep Pique ends the fascist cries: "Especially serious is that the president of Catalonia foresees a match between Catalonia and Spain as though these were different realities."
The three party government of Catalonia defends the sporting success. Former communist Joan Saura: "It should be a matter of pride and not a problem." Chief Minister Josep Bargallo of Esquerra: "Queen Elizabeth II is not scandalised seeing England-Wales nor the president of China with China-Macao." Socialist Pasqual Maragall: "In this sport practically invented in Catalonia we also deserve that people can say our team is the best."
Catalonia fields 800 teams, the most in the world, 12 out of 16 in the Spanish league and the entire Spanish team is Catalan. PSC spokesman Miquel Iceta proposes a mestizo mix with the worse placed team withdrawing. The writing is on the wall for Madrid. The day they field no Catalans, they will be relegated to provincial tournaments.
The final approval of Catalonia now awaits in Fresno, California, this November. Sports secretary Rafel Niubo: "It is a sports question. We are not asking for independence or a seat in the U.N. The rules must be applied which state that countries without a State are also members." One third of the international federation are countries without a State. Maragall points out the United Kingdom fields four teams, the same as China: "Catalonia, which is not the Spanish State, and England, which is not Great Britain, played the final. I don't see why we cannot have a Catalonia team if we are the best. It is no problem, just sports, and the day Catalonia plays against Spain they will have a great time. It is a question of freedom of expressing a feeling of sports and nationality which is compatible with mutual respect." Barcelona coach Carlos Figueroa defends the sport: "The admittance of Catalonia in the international arena will be very good for hockey, unlike the war which has just started. It would be great to see Spain against Catalonia. The underlying debate is the political model for the Spanish State." The sons of fascism have evolved more than neofascist PP. Camilo Alonso Vega, Hong Kong consul and son of the governor of Barcelona, stood up for the Catalan national hymn and had himself photographed, just like Maragall, with the players showing independence flags. Exactly on the 25th anniversary of the Statute of Autonomy Sant Jaume Square filled up to receive the champions with the cry: "One team, one nation." Captain Ivan Tibau said from the government balcony: "We put the first stone but other sports will also get this far. They should learn from us!" Maragall has become scared of the Catalan success says Joaquin Luna in La Vanguardia: "There were two parties, one institutional inside and the popular party in the square. Significantly the first was led by Maragall and the second from the balcony by Bargallo. This division of roles fuelled the cries of Maragall collaborator! Maragall had his picture, accepted a signed shirt and disappeared from the scene." Jordi Pujol was never so afraid of Catalans. In the Madrid 2012 Games we should see a Spain-Catalonia in the final. Better two medals than one after the good fun on the road to Macao.

source: racocatala.com J.Verges

Past article from The New York Times

2004-11-01T13:09:00.000Z

Catalonia Yearns to Root for a Home Team of Its Own
By RENWICK McLEAN
Published: August 30, 2004
LLEIDA, Spain, Aug. 23 - In its eyes, Catalonia, the dynamic region that is contained in Spain but yearning for self-rule, is a wallflower at the Olympics. "We don't feel at all represented by the Spanish team," said Daniel Rovira, a bartender, as he watched a local soccer game on television, rather than the final of the men's 100-meter dash at the Athens Games. "We have our own language, our own culture.'' Nationalism flows thick in this ancient city of 120,000, a gateway between Catalonia and the rest of Spain. But that nationalism comes wrapped in the Catalan flag, not in Spain's. In his restaurant down the road from Mr. Rovira's bar, Jaume Areste Alonso switched the television from the Olympics to the same soccer game, the Catalonia Cup, a match between Barcelona and a crosstown rival, Espanyol - a preseason game at that. Mr. Areste Alonso said the Olympics would interest more people if Catalonia could compete with its own team. "It may take awhile, but the day will come," he said. "One hundred percent of the people here support it." Until then, sports fanatics from semiautonomous regions like Catalonia are sure to feel a little left out when they watch the Olympics, which brings together teams from about 200 countries, some as tiny as St. Kitts and Nevis. For these fans, the sense of local pride is as strong as their national identity is weak. That means that the athletic contests are not limited to the playing field, but enter into politics. During the four-decade dictatorship of Franco, regional languages and cultural celebrations were banned, so rooting for the Barcelona soccer team became a proxy for Catalan pride, one reason there is such a strong feeling about elevating regional teams. Some Catalans, like Mr. Rovira, the bartender, support full independence for Catalonia, but his is not a mainstream view. Sports is another matter. Catalans have gathered more than a million signatures calling for Catalans to have their own national team, he said. Convergència i Unió, a mainstream party in Catalonia, which does not advocate independence, says it will send Parliament a bill next month that will call on the national government to drop its opposition to allowing teams from Catalonia to compete internationally; the 16 other regions of Spain would get the same rights. In the Basque region, a largely autonomous area across the peninsula from Catalonia, a political party says it will propose similar legislation. "It's our dream, but it's also our right," said Josep Maldonado, a congressman who is leading the efforts for the Convergència party. In a telephone interview from Athens, where he had traveled to cheer on Catalan athletes representing Spain in the Olympics, Mr. Maldonado said proudly that "Catalonia is the world champion in high mountain races," referring to marathons at high altitudes. It also has been granted provisional membership in the International Federation of Roller Sports, he said. But in most sports, including soccer, the central government lobbies the governing federations to oppose the inclusion of Catalan teams, he said. The only way to stop the lobbying is through legislation, Mr. Maldonado said. Catalonia, like Spain's other regions, has substantial autonomy from Madrid, but is pushing for more from the new Socialist government. Political analysts say the government will have a difficult job satisfying them without loosening the political bonds that keep Spain a unified nation, not only at the Olympics. The International Olympics Committee may not want to hear from a nonstate like Catalonia, but there is little doubt that the region stands apart in many ways from Spain.
Although residents speak Spanish, most of the conversations overheard here are in Catalan. Waiters address customers in Catalan. Many of the signs leading to the city's most celebrated landmark, the Seu Vella cathedral, which was built in the 13th century, are only in Catalan. Asked how often he speaks Spanish, Manel Murgo, a 26-year-old salesman, said, "I speak Spanish when I go to Spain." His friend Daniel Puch, a 26-year-old businessman, said, "If I go up to a group of Catalans and start speaking Spanish, they look at me funny." Mr. Puch said he and his friends considered themselves Catalan first and Spanish second. In a game between a Catalan and a Spanish team, they would cheer for Catalonia. Catalonia has better athletes, not to mention better food, and a stronger economy, Mr. Puch and his friends said. But leaving all that aside, Mr. Areste Alonso said there was a final reason for preferring Catalonia. "Catalan is much prettier than Spanish," he said.

Calm after/before the storm

2004-10-31T19:14:00.000Z

After a week of celebrations, speeches, statements, angry pronouncements, euphoria, chovinism and arrogance, it seems that everyone has turned their heads to this weekend's football results.
At the end of the day, who does really care about roller hockey in Spain?
Meanwhile in Catalonia, 12 Catalan teams played their games of the Spanish OK liga.
Here are the results:

Arenamar Reus D.-Choleck Voltregà 2-1
Blanes-Barcelona 2-4
Noia Freixenet-Lloret 2-1
Vilanova-Alcoi 2-1
Online Lleida-Tenerife 2-2
Vigo-Maçanet 2-0
Vila-seca-Liceo 4-7
Igualada-Vic 3-3

More controversy and polemic is expected this week again.
We will keep you informed with the latest news!

Nations without state in the FIRS

2004-10-30T17:33:00.000+01:00

Four other nations without state are full members of the FIRS.
These are Macau, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China, Bermuda, a British overseas territory with internal self-government, China Taipei (Taiwan) and Scotland.

In addition Gibraltar (British colony) has 13 federations that have been recognise by the IOC. These are athletics, rowing, badminton, boxing, hockey, swimming, modern pentathlon, table tennis, volleybal, thriatlon, net ball and squash.

Source: e-noticies.com

Catalan government denies accusations

2004-10-29T20:03:00.000+01:00

A spokesman from the Catalan Sports Council has denied this afternoon the alleged offer of $400 000 to the FIRS, that according to the Spanish Popular Party (PP), was made by the Catalans to buy out their admission as members of the FIRS.
According to the Catalan Sports Council, they just made a proposition that was never approved nor signed.

Who is using dirty politics again here?

Extra help for the Spanish Roller Federation?

2004-10-29T14:35:00.000+01:00

Is it true that the Spanish Supreme Sport Council (CSD) has sensibly increased the budget intended for the Spanish Roller Federation?
Has that something to do with all the effort they will have to put in order to convince other federations to stand against the permanent approval of Catalonia as member of the FIRS?

The steps towards recognition

2004-10-29T11:02:00.000+01:00

This is the possible scenario in a month's time:

105 federations have the right to vote in the FIRS assembly on the 26th of Novemeber. However, no more than 40 are expected to attend. Votes can be delegated.
Each federation will be able to vote as many times as types of roller sports recognised by the FIRS. (i.e. if a federation is a member of the FIRS in line hockey, speed and artistic they will have three votes). For the final admission of Catalonia a simple majority will be required.
Vote can be secret if at least 10% of the federations present ask to do so.
If Catalonia application is rejected all players who played for Catalonia in the B World Cup would be able to play for Spain again.
If Catalonia is accepted, those players will have to chose which country to represent. Their decision will be a definite one. They will not be allowed to play for Spain ever again if they decide to play for Catalonia.
The Catalan Federation will allow the Spanish one to pick their players first.
The Spanish law states that the international representitivity corresponds to the Spanish team. However, it doesn't say anywhere that Spain cannot compete against Catalonia.
There is no appeal against whichever decision the FIRS takes.

Source: Raco catala http://www.racocatala.com/articles/5658

Reactions to PP's attack

2004-10-29T10:09:00.000+01:00

Isidro Oliveras, president of the FIRS, has admitted the existence of an agreement similar to other agreements that the FIRS has signed with other countries and federations.

On the other hand, the president of the Catalan federation Ramon Basiana, hasn't denied the existence of the agreement and has stated that the $400 000 that the Catalan Sports Council will pay to the FIRS have nothing to do with the probable final admission of Catalonia.
According to Basiana, this money is part of the agreement between the two organisations to contribute to sustain the headquarters of the FIRS in Barcelona. Basiana believes this is normal since the headquarters are in the Catalan capital. To support this, Basiana explained that the Spanish Council of Sport (CSD) also helped the FIRS from 1991 until last year for the same reasons.

Macau's Roller Hockey Federation president's view

2004-10-28T20:29:00.000+01:00

Macau will play the A World Cup and it will be in group A (Catalonia's group).
Antonio Aguiar, president of Macau's Roller Hockey Federation is confident about the non-admission of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS.
The president of the organising committee of the B World Cup in an interview to the Agency Lusa said that Macau will be in the World Cup because Catalonia has no rights to be there. Aguiar believes that both Portugal and Spain will refuse to play against Catalonia and that will force other countries to withdraw their support to the Catalans.

Dirty politics?

2004-10-28T17:31:00.000+01:00

The Spanish Popular Party (PP) has clearly made of this issue one of their main priorities. Francisco Gonzalez in a press conference this morning presented to the press a copy of the minutes of the FIRS assembly held in Miami, in which allegedly Catalonia offered an annual help of 80 000 euros to the headquarters of the FIRS in Barcelona.
According to the PP, this help was in compensation for the granting of provisional affiliation to Catalonia. In other words, they are suggesting that Catalonia bought his affiliation.

However, Mr Gonzalez didn't tell the press that in that meeting 12 other countries were also granted provisional affiliation. And that a protocol was signed with the National Catalonia Roller Skating Federation and the Sports Council of Catalonia.
The object of this agreement was: "to establish a collaboration programme in order to set common working lines for the benefit of roller sports. Both bodies will co-operate in a solidarity sports project that will promote training of elite sportsmen and women from under developed countries. The National Catalonia Roller Skating Federation will collaborate with FIRS in its sport programme by bringing sports technicians to organise five clinics per year".

FIRS' president views on the issue

2004-10-28T14:21:00.000+01:00

Isidro Oliveras is concerned about the effect that all the public celebrations and political support will have on the final admission of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS.
Oliveras thinks that all this publicity will effect negatively on the possibilities of Catalonia being recognised since the matter has gone far beyond a simple sport issue.
According to Oliveras the euphoria showed by the Catalans has alerted the Spanish Federation and all parties interested in the no admission of Catalonia and consequently now they will try even harder to get more votes against Catalonia.
Oliveras states that there are a few countries that have already agreed with the Spanish Federation to vote against Catalonia. These are Italy, Portugal, France and Macau.

Catalonia not included in the official site of the World Cup

2004-10-28T11:40:00.000+01:00

The official website of the 2005 World Championship to be held in San Jose (USA), has not included Catalonia amongst the 16 participants. However, both England and Andorra (2nd and 3rd respectively in the last B Championship) are included in the list.

Would be nice to know whether the organisation at San Jose have been receiving pressures already?

http://www.2005rhwc.com/venue.htm

The President of Catalonia speaks out

2004-10-27T17:01:00.000+01:00

Pasqual Maragall, President of Catalonia has spoken this morning to a Catalan radio about the polemic originated in Spain with regards the recognition of Catalonia as a full member of the FIRS.
Maragall, thinks that there shouldn't be any problems to admit Catalonia as it was in this country where the roller hockey was invented and legalised as a competitive sport. Often when quesioning why Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are full members of the FIFA and therefore can compete against England, the answer has been that football as a competitive sport was invented in the United Kingdom.
It seems to me that this is a very valid argument in defence of the Catalan recognintion!
Maragall has also stated that in the last world cup in Macau, China was represented by 3 different national teams (Macau, Chinese Taipei, China).

More info about the world cup can be found at:
http://www.rollerhockeyworldb-macau2004.org/

I need your help.

2004-10-27T11:58:00.000+01:00

To my knowledge there are 23 members of nations without state that belong to the FIFA football and FIBA basketball, and 21 members belonging to IAAF athletics.

Could anyone help me to find all these members?
Thanks in advance.

Sport or political issue?

2004-10-27T11:19:00.000+01:00

The Madrid-based sports daily newspaper AS, devotes on their online edition today (http://www.as.com/articulo.html?d_date=20041027&xref=20041027dasdaimas_1&type=Tes&anchor=dasmas) three pages to analyse the situation.
According to AS if the final decision in Fresno is to accept Catalonia as full member of the FIRS , Spain will withdraw from all competitions.

A nice way of enforcing a decision against Catalonia, don't you think? So, what? Catalonia has at least the same competitive level as Spain, so no one really will lose if Spain doesn't compete.
However, this would be an outrageous attack at the sobirany of Spain, wouldn't it? and they don't even like hockey! they don't even know the bloody rules nor they could name any player who won the world cup a few weeks ago, nor they know who won the league last season!
So, it is definitely a political issue my friends, don't you agree?

The Spaniards strike back (II)

2004-10-27T10:13:00.000+01:00

The tension between Catalans and Spaniards is growing by the minute. It is clear that the Spaniards are getting very nervous about the possible Catalan recognition and are preparing their political and media army to fight this tough battle.
Reactions on Tuesday night were numerous.
Lissavetzky, Spanish secretary of sports, defended the fact that under the actual Spanish law, it is impossible for an autonomous region to play an official game against Spain.
In fact, although the spirit of the law might support Lissavetzky's statement, there is nothing in the law that explicitly states that Spain cannot compete against Catalonia.
While the Basques and the Catalans suggested that the law could be modified, the Spanish socialist pary spokesman Alfredo Perez Rubalcava stated that: "the law approved in 1990 is good as it is and any attempt to modify will not have our support".
The president of the Spanish federation of roller sports, Enrique Garcia Raposo speaking to a Catalan radio, denied that the Spanish federation is pressuring other countries to change their vote. Accordint to Raposo, "all" they are doing is explaining that Catalonia is only an autonomous region of Spain and that all the competitions in Spain are being organised by the Spanish federation.
A very biased explanation of the situation, isn't it?