Wilson Palacios will miss Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League clash against Portsmouth on Saturday after being ordered to remain in his native Honduras to celebrate World Cup qualification.

Honduras secured their first World Cup spot since 1982 by beating neighbours El Salvador 1-0 on Wednesday, while Costa Rica missed out at the last minute after failing to hold on to a two goal lead over USA, who have also qualified.

Palacios, who played a key part in the victory, was expected to return in time for training on Friday, but was forced to delay his flight on orders of the Honduran interim government who demanded the players remain in capital Tegucigalpa to celebrate.

The current government came to power when interim president Roberto Micheletti's regime overthrew the elected president in a military coup in June - not the sort of people you want to mess with then!

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has accepted that he will be without the tough tackling ace for Saturday's Fratton Park date, in a game in which he may be boosted by the returns of Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson and Ledley King.

"We've got no choice but to go to Portsmouth without Wilson," he told the Daily Mirror.

"There's nothing he can do either. I guess when the President tells you to do something, you can't do much about it," he quipped.

No doubt 'Arry will be going loco at the news!

England, Premiership, Tottenham, World Cup 2010

Share on

Send this article to your friend

Other news

Assou-Ekotto probed by police
13-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Redknapp rues soft Spurs
13-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
King's new deal on hold
13-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Assou-Ekotto clashes with fan
12-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Modric return imminent
12-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Sandro denies Spurs medical
12-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Redknapp wants van Nistelrooy
12-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Tottenham to sell Bentley after Redknapp bust-up
11-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
VIDEO: Tottenham & Wigan chase 'Chilean Rooney' Suazo
10-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie
Modric edges closer to Tottenham comeback
09-12-2009 - Added by ExtraFootie

Add a comment

Why should you create a supporter's profile?

Join other supporters of your favourite club
Add your own news
Add your own photo's or videos
Create or join a supporter's group
React to the latest news in the forums

... and win great prizes in the Fan Shop!

comments (4)

2009-10-17 - Added by Rollyz
Supporter of Arsenal

Congratulations to Mr Zalaya on being the first ever President to address the United Nations via telephone (Mobile)

All hail the support Mr Zalaya has received from Brazilian President Lulu Da Silva and Argentina's Cristina Kirchner.

Isn't it astounding how the USA has remained totally silent on the matter - no doubt the brutal repression of Zalaya supporters you agree with.

Are you Bush in disguise???

Report Abuse

2009-10-17 - Added by rcasco
Neutral Supporter

Dear Ms. Rollyz

Name calling only puts in evidence your lack of culture. And your simplisitc view of democracy, makes your ignorance even more outstanding.

Democracy doesn't end when a person is elected. Democracy is upheld when the people you elect to SERVE a term respect the laws written for all the citizens. Because no one, NO ONE is above the law. The day a president breaks the law, dismisses the Supreme Court's rulings, tries to dissolve the other two government branches (including congress which is also democratically elected and exercises direct representation of the people) he is being an autocrat and a dictator, not a democrat.

OUR CONSTITUTION, NOT YOURS clearly states that any public server, including the president, that tries to modify the consitution to extend his term, change the form of government (ours is a Republican Representative Democracy), or modify the territorial extension or boundaries of Honduras is immediately and automatically removed from office. HE REMOVED HIMSELF FROM OFFICE WITH HIS ILEGAL ACTIONS!

Report Abuse

2009-10-17 - Added by Rollyz
Supporter of Arsenal

Sorry Jucaco - i think thats how to spell your name

What the hell are you on about

Manolo Zalaya was the democratically elected government and was overthrown - you got that - overthrown, ousted, thrown out in the same way as Arbenz of Guatemala, Chavez in 2002, Goulart of Brazil in the 60s, and famously Salvador Allende of Chile in 1973.

Your Honduran it seems yet you do not condemn the overthrow of a democratically elected President!!! Whether you agree with his policies or not is different altogether but still...

Report Abuse

2009-10-16 - Added by rcasco
Neutral Supporter

There is NO such thing as a Military Junta in Honduras!

I am totally stunned and offended by irresponsible publications from some international media including You should do some research and get your facts straight.

There is no such thing as a military junta governing over Honduras! We have a constitutional democratic government with it's three independent branches intact. Judicial, Legislative and Executive. Mr. Zelaya, the former head of the Executive branch was consitutionally removed by congress and substituted by a civil interim President to serve out the remaining 6 months of his service, given that elections were already scheduled for November by our also independent Supreme Electoral Tribunal before Zelaya's Removal. He violated our laws, our constitution, and supreme court rulings. More specifically an article which states that anybody that tries to modify our constitution to stay in power longer than the 4 year term is automatically removed from office. Therefore, the millitary's only role was to execute our supreme court's ruling to arrest Mr. Zelaya. He was deported to avoid bloodshed, and that was the mistake. He should have been jailed inmediately.

We, the people of Honduras feel abandoned by the international community! We have just acted to defend our laws, our freedom, our democracy. No coup has taken place here, but a lawful destitution of a corrupt megalomaniac who used socialism as a crutch to support his ultimate goal of staying in power indefinitely under strict compliance of Chavez's so-called socialist franchise!

Long Live Democracy, Long Live our Freedom, long Live the Rule of Law.... Long Live The Republic of Honduras!

Report Abuse