EXECUTIVES from the Spanish club Atletico Madrid have been in discussions with Cuban Football Association (AFC) officials over a possible collaboration between the club and the Caribbean island.

Meeting at the AFC headquarters in Havana, Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin and AFC president Luis Hernandez met to discuss the possibility of setting up an Atletico football academy in Cuba. 

“We want to see how we can help the development of football in Cuba,” Gil Marin said.

“Our intention is to open an Atletico academy, work with children and for the best of them to continue to train in Madrid with us. Maybe some of them can become professional players.

“Atletico Madrid has the resources, can bring coaches to Cuba and build clinics to develop our working methodology with children. We just need the facilities.”

“We are open to any collaboration,” Hernandez said, stressing the importance of Atletico’s approach to doing business with Cuba.

“The more people and institutions come to help and work together on the basis of respect, the more beneficial for us.”

Atletico has previously opened football schools and academies in 33 countries, including Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

The Spanish delegation has planned other activities for their six-day visit to Cuba, including the opening of a supporters’ club in a bar located at Havana’s busy street of Prado.