Spanish Super Cup dates need FIFA approval

MADRID, June 17 (Reuters) Champions Barcelona have agreed with King's Cup winners Espanyol to play the Spanish Super Cup on August 17 and 20th.

This decision must be approved by FIFA because players called up by their countries need to be given leave to miss a day allocated for internationals on August 16.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said if FIFA did not approve the release of players the second leg would be played on September 20.

Barcelona, the holders, had asked for a one-off game but Espanyol and the television company with broadcasting rights demanded it be played over two legs.

The dispute over fixtures echoes the problems the RFEF had with the end of the league season in May.

The federation appealed to FIFA to be allowed to extend their season past the deadline of May 15 after a fixture pile-up caused by an abandoned match between Sevilla and Barcelona.

FIFA allowed two games to be played on May 16 while Barcelona played their final game on May 20 without internationals called up for the World Cup finals.

Barcelona are scheduled to tour the U.S. at the beginning of August and play the European Super Cup against Sevilla, who won the UEFA Cup, in Monaco on August 25.

REUTERS PM KP1634