Spain coach to release players for King's Cup matches

Spain coach Inaki Saez has had a change of heart and will release his players to their clubs for King's Cup matches next month despite the proximity of his side's final Euro 2004 qualifier against Armenia.

Saez reversed his original decision to call together the squad on the day scheduled for the first round cup ties which they can now play in before meeting up the following day to prepare for the Group Six match in Armenia on October 11.

"It isn't a case of having my arm twisted," Saez told Catalunya Radio on Wednesday night. "It is just a matter of common sense."

"A lot of teams would have been affected by the move and the (Spanish Football) Federation decided that it did not want to devalue the Cup so clubs will now be represented by their most important players."

All first division clubs enter the King's Cup at this stage of the competition, but the rules of the draw stipulate they cannot play against each other in this round.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia have all been handed straightforward ties against third division sides.

Spain are second in Group Six, a point behind leaders Greece who play their final qualifier at home to Northern Ireland.

The Spanish are assured of at least a playoff place for Euro 2004, but they could still win a direct place in next year's tournament in Portugal if Greece slip up in Athens.