Paraguayan Championship is delayed

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ASUNCION, Paraguay -- The Paraguayan football championship, due to start on Friday, was postponed at 24 hours notice on Thursday because of a row involving rival factions within the national association, a spokesman said.

The decision was taken after the government's sports minister Federico Frutos offered to mediate in the row, which has dragged on for several weeks.

"The minister asked the championship to be put back so he can meet with the presidents of the 12 clubs to try and find a solution," Paraguayan Football Association (APF) spokesman Nicolas Ledesma said.

"This request was accepted.

"Once the meeting has taken place, possibly on Friday, the starting date will be decided."

The row began when APF president Oscar Harrison fell out with his former deputy Juan Angel Napout, who is hoping to take charge of the association.

Six of the 12 first division clubs, including the two most popular, Olimpia and Cerro Porteno, have backed Napout and said they will not play until an election is held.

Champions Libertad, Guarani, Sol de America and 3 de Febrero have also said they back Napout, who wants to appoint Argentina's Gerardo Martino as national team coach.

Paraguay have qualified for the last three World Cups and enjoyed competitive wins over both Brazil and Argentina in the last few years.

But domestic football survives on a shoestring budget and many first division games are played in front of less than 500 fans.

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