The decision by the United States not to compete in the Fed Cup finals came under fire in Madrid today with Belgium team captain Ivo Van Aken criticising the two-time defending champions for using the events of September as an excuse.
Van Aken, who was later echoed by the France team captain Guy Forget, claimed the decision not to play in the eight-nation tournament from November 7th-11th was more to do with the fact the US did not want to play on clay.
And he said the terror attacks of September 11th were currently being used as an excuse.
"It's obvious that they (USA) didn't want to play on clay after the Masters and to come here just for one competition. That's why they're not here. The events of September 11th gave them an excuse," said Van Aken.
Belgium have been installed as favourites following the decision of the United States team - Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Monica Seles and Serena Williams - to withdraw from the team event because of security fears.
Van Aken's views were echoed by Forget.
"I'm sorry and can only half understand. There are a lot of very serious things that are happening in the world now but life goes on. People continue to work. You do your work and I do mine.
"What's the different between the Masters in Munich and the Fed Cup in Madrid?
"You play here under the American flag but when they played there in Munich they also played for their country because they are American," he said.
"I think that if the Americans had come they would have shown courage and given a lot of pleasure to many people here. Maybe they would have inspired future champions," added Fourget.
Since it's inception in 1963 the USA have won the title 17 times and been runners-up eight times. They defeated Spain 5-0 in Las Vegas last year to take the title for the second year in a row.
AFP