The Spanish football federation are digging their heels in and refusing to bring forward their presidential elections despite pressure from the government.

Jose Maria Villar has been at the helm of the federation for the last 20 years and has confirmed he will run for re-election.

The government ordered the RFEF and other non-Olympic federations to hold presidential elections before the Beijing Games.

The RFEF appealed to the courts but lost.

Now Villar’s federation are insisting they will not obey the government mandate following a vote on the subject by the RFEF’s general assembly today.

Members voted 116 in favour of holding the election in November while just 26 were opposed.

‘The General Assembly to appoint a president will take place before November 26 when four years will have passed since the previous election,’ the RFEF said in a statement.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned that government interference in the administration of football in Spain could result in the national team and clubs’ exclusion from international competition.

That could mean Northern Ireland being invited to replace Spain at Euro 2008.