Several weeks ago Spain were warned by FIFA and UEFA that they risked suspension from international competition due to political interference in their FA's elections.

Football's main governing bodies were up in arms over the Spanish government's request for the (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) RFEF to conduct its elections prior to the Beijing Olympics, as all non-competing Spanish sports organisations must do.

The RFEF, however, has previously operated with four-year terms of administration, with the next election correctly slated for November.

Spain refused to take the threat from FIFA and UEFA seriously, and they have now paid the ultimate price by being thrown out of Euro 2008.

"We warned the Spanish government very clearly, through their Sports Council (CSD), that if they continue to interfere in footballing affairs that they will have to recognise that their national team will be excluded from international tournaments," explained FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

"They have deliberately and completely ignored our warnings and so we are left with no choice but to pull them out from Euro 2008."

Spain's place at Austria and Switzerland has been taken by England, who are the highest ranked nation who did not qualify for the tournament.

"Spain have been replaced by England, due to the fact that they are the highest ranked nation not in the Euros," stated Blatter.

"The football community welcome Fabio Capello's squad, and we hope they will grasp this second-chance with both hands."

England will be in Group D, alongside European Champions Greece, Sweden, and Russia, who ironically pipped them to qualification originally.

The Three Lions' first game of the tournament will in fact be against Russia at the Tivoli-Neu Stadion in Innsbruck on June 10.

England will be hoping for a repeat of Euro 92', when Denmark were entered into the tournament late in the day after Yugoslavia had also been thrown out due to political reasons.

Denmark went on to win the tournament, beating Germany in the final in Gothenburg 2-0.

The news has been met by delight by former England manager Graham Taylor, who was in charge during Euro 92.

"I believe we will win Euro 2008 now," said The Turnip.

"There is no team in that tournament who we should fear. You name me a team who boasts our talent. I am utterly convinced that we will return from Switzerland with the trophy."

April Fool, Goal.com

Coach Luis Aragonés was forced to name a pool of players from which he will name his squad in May after UEFA stated that every squad member be vaccinated against a outbreak of Central European Encephalitis and that means having the jabs early.

Reluctantly, the veteran trainer has given over the names and Raúl's absence is not that unexpected with the Real Madrid skipper not having represented his country since September 2006. Aragonés has chosen to name the players that he tried once or twice with Barça's Bojan Krkic, Sevilla's Andrés Palop and Getafed duo Rubén De la Red and Pablo Hernández being included.

Los Merengues do have Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos include, while Barcelona have Bojan as well as Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta. David Albelda has also been named despite not playing for Valencia since December, while Álvaro Arbeloa has also been retained along with Liverpool team-mates Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres.

The absence of Raúl may meet with an outcry from the Madrid-biased press, such as AS, who were driving a campaign to see the goalscorer recalled. But that plan looks certain to have failed as those included in the 31 that do not make the initial squad, will be used as cover in case of injuries, meaning that Raúl will not even sneak in through the back door.