Madrid - Spanish soccer officials are searching for a phantom football team, Jane Walker reports. There was considerable excitement earlier this month when it was announced that a team from Botafogo, the Brazilian club, was to play a series of pre-season friendly games against Spanish clubs. But after matches against Logroes, Albacete and Salamanca it was obvious the 24-man squad lacked the magic of Brazilian soccer. Botafogo lost all its games, failed to score and conceded 10 goals.
At the weekend, Mr Fernando Mendez, president of the Pariaba Football Federation, read of the games in his local paper. He sent a message denying all knowledge of the team: The real Botafogo, he said, is still at home, and has just reached the finals of the Paraiba regional cup. The mystery team, with trainer and manager, has now gone to ground.