In Venezuelan football, as in the country, between any two points, it often feels like everything has changed & nothing has changed. This was the case when we spoke to The Secret Venezuelan Footballer this week. (1/12)
Q: It& #39;s been two weeks since we last spoke. A lot has happened in Venezuelan football in those two weeks. What has the atmosphere been like?
#TSVF: The number of COVID infections in the country is increasing exponentially day by day, the health system is collapsing...(2/12)
#TSVF: The number of COVID infections in the country is increasing exponentially day by day, the health system is collapsing...(2/12)
#TSVF: (continued)...misinformation is more and more prominent, and now there are rumours of a gasoline shortage in the coming days. In football, teams have had to stop training because of positive #COVID19 cases within their staff. (3/12)
(continued)...The president of the FVF passed away and a âsupposedâ restructuring is beginning. There is still no confirmation of when football will restart.
Q: How has [Federation President] Berardinelli& #39;s death impacted Venezuelan football? (4/12)
Q: How has [Federation President] Berardinelli& #39;s death impacted Venezuelan football? (4/12)
Q: (continued)... And are you concerned about the future of Venezuelan football considering the most worrying rumour: government intervention?
A: We know that there is a delicate issue at the managerial level, but the leaders of this country have been in charge of...5/12
A: We know that there is a delicate issue at the managerial level, but the leaders of this country have been in charge of...5/12
...generating that distance and that indolence between the players and themselves, through their decisions over the years.
Q: When we last spoke, you told us of a possible restart of the league at the end of August. There are only 22 days left. Does that seem likely? (6/12)
Q: When we last spoke, you told us of a possible restart of the league at the end of August. There are only 22 days left. Does that seem likely? (6/12)
#TSVF: I& #39;m not sure if itâll happen or not, but from what I see, it seems increasingly difficult to restart with each passing day. I dare to doubt if there will even be football this year. It& #39;s something very uncertain, it doesnât even feature in public discourse anymore. (7/12)
Q: For the Venezuelan teams still in the @Libertadores, do you think they will be able to participate?
#TSVF: @CONMEBOL are offering many facilities, it& #39;s much more feasible. I would say it& #39;s almost a fact. 8/12
#TSVF: @CONMEBOL are offering many facilities, it& #39;s much more feasible. I would say it& #39;s almost a fact. 8/12
Q: I have found some tweets from those in FUTVE very moving, for example, one from Kike Garcia. I have also wondered how non-Venezuelan players who play in FUTVE have coped during quarantine in a country that isn& #39;t their own and without family there.
Q&A in graphic
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="âŹď¸" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> 9/12
Q&A in graphic
Q: It& #39;s interesting that you say this now. While the players are almost always supported by the journalists, in the last two weeks, many journalists have been very critical of the league& #39;s organisation and have even insulted the quality.
Q&A below
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="âŹď¸" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> 10/12
Q&A below
Q: We have two weeks before we speak again. What are your hopes for FUTVE in the next 14 days & what are your expectations?
11/12
11/12
âMy greatest wish is that the leadership of football in our country take things seriously, with the good of all in mind, and with a clear conscience.â
- The Secret Venezuelan Footballer.
We would like to thank #TSVF for their honesty and insight.
End of Thread - 12/12.
- The Secret Venezuelan Footballer.
We would like to thank #TSVF for their honesty and insight.
End of Thread - 12/12.