News Flash
CARACAS, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela sacked coach Fernando Batista on
Wednesday night, a day after their World Cup qualification dream died and
after an intervention by the country's president.
News of Argentine Batista's sacking, alongside his entire backroom staff,
came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a "restructuring of the
technical staff".
That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, were thumped 6-3
at home by neighbours Colombia, ending their hopes of reaching a World Cup
for the first time.
"Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat," said Maduro.
"All of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of the
Vinotinto, a reorganisation of the strategy, of the doctrine and of the line
of combat and hard work."
The decision by the sport's world governing body FIFA to expand the 2026
World Cup in North America from 32 to 48 teams had boosted the hopes of teams
like Venezuela -- the only side in the CONMEBOL federation never to qualify
for a finals -- to make it to the global extravaganza for the first time.
But their defeat to Colombia meant that Bolivia -- 1-0 winners over five-time
champions Brazil -- pipped them to a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
Peru, whose hopes of World Cup qualification had ended before the final round
of matches, also sacked their coach, Oscar Ibanez.
They finished the group stage with a miserable record of two wins and just
six goals alongside 10 defeats from their 18 matches.
